Musidora

The Cradle of God

A young intellectual, J. Powers, loses his faith in God after the untimely death of his wife. He devotes his great talents to writing a shockingly blasphemous book, debunking all religion, and then embarks on a trip to Jerusalem. Far from reconciling him to God, the sight of all the different sects worshipping in that ancient city only serves to embitter him and deepen his unbelief. One day, wandering in the country, he loses his way and stops to ask directions at a small house. The inhabitants are a poor but devout family whose daughter, Ruth, revives his broken heart. At the risk of losing her, he confesses to her his loss of faith, and she gently declares that meditation on the Gospels will heal him. He sorrowfully tells her that he wishes he could believe as she does, but it is impossible.

The Land of the Bulls

Musidora wants the hero of her next film to be a young toreador who is reluctant to play for the camera.

Sun and Shadow

An innkeeper, Juana, is courted by Jarana, a bullfighter who is then seduced by a stranger. Juana then confides in a hunchbacked antiquarian who loves her desperately.

For Don Carlos

Pour Don Carlos was the biggest production by Société des Films Musidora (est. December 10, 1919). Based on a novel by Pierre Benoît, Musidora’s first creatively autonomous work is set during the conflict between Carlists and Bourbons in late 19th century Spain. Benoît insisted that Jacques Lasseyne, a Spanish grandee who put money into the production, should co-direct. The film was shot in 1920, in the Spanish Basque Country. It represents a turning point in Musidora’s career, sparking her passionate love affair with a country and a culture that welcomed her as a great star. Above all, though, she encountered Antonio Cañero, a bullfighter who acted as her technical adviser on the film. Because of him, she did all she could to ensure that her succeeding productions, until 1926, were shot in Spain. Pour Don Carlos was released in Paris and in Madrid in December 1921, in a shortened version because its original, three-hour length made it impossible to release in the market of the time.

Vicenta

Prince Romano seduces Vicenta, a waitress in a shabby inn. She escapes to join him in Paris.

Mademoiselle Chiffon

The sad adventures of a young Parisian woman.

Judex

When an unscrupulous banker ruins his family, a young man swears to bring him to justice, so he adopts a new identity, the mysterious Judex, and ominously disguised and sunk into the muddy path of vengeance, punishes the crooks and protects the innocents. (Originally a twelve-part epic serial.)

La Peine du talion

A French short film

Lagourdette, gentleman cambrioleur

With the help of Lévesque and Musidora, Feuillade creates a light-hearted meta-fiction, self-parodying his own work.

For the Children

The artist awakens. His maid brings him a letter from the Gaumont Studio. After a quick glance to it, he hastens to get dressed and runs to the studio followed by his wife, his maid and his son, Bout-de-Zan who want a part in the movie.

The Clutching Foot

The famous scientific detective Justin Crécelle and his faithful assistant Walter Jymson seek to halt the deeds of the "Clutching Foot" gang, who attempt to kidnap Hélène, the fiancée of Justin, in both possible and ridiculous ways. The film is a spoof of the Les Vampires serials, with Musidora appearing in one episode in costume.

The Vampires or, The Arch Criminals of Paris

Paris is prey to an invisible terror against which the police can do nothing: a sinister organization that sows chaos and death. The intrepid journalist Philippe Guérande and his partner embark on a long crusade to put an end to the crimes of the Great Vampire and Irma Vep, his dangerous accomplice. (A ten episode movie serial.)

The Story of Midinette

During the WWI, Jeannette (Musidora) finds refuge in the South France, among other women. She starts the correspondence with a soldier of the front line and sends him a parcel.

Triple entente

Short romantic comedy starring Musidora as a capricious woman.

The Great Breath

The patriotic melodrama, set during WWI, revolves around a thief played by René Navarre.

Severo Torelli

Pisa, 1494. Young Severo, who has sworn to stab the tyrant in his town, learns that it is his own father.

Miseries of the Needle

The central story of a young woman driven to suicide by the cares of earning piecework money to support her child.

The Other Victory

This 1914 War patriotic melodrama tells the story of reconciliation between the remarried woman and her son.

The Cavalry

A French silent film directed by Louis Feuillade.