Revived French Classics: Spotlight on Max Linder

Max Linder in "Be my wife"

 

The Consulate General of France in Atlanta, SCADshow and the City of Atlanta are thrilled to welcome a series of restored Classic French films to the Atlanta community!

This year’s edition puts a focus on MAX LINDER: one of the most understated yet prolific comedians from the silent era. Max Linder, often cited as the first international movie star and a true comic genius, is said to have been inspired the likes of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. His character “Max”, young, handsome and debonair, is the epitome of a dandy and the first identifiable film character to appear in successive situation comedies.
Recently restored by Paris-based Company Lobster Films, three of Linder’s 1920s feature films will grace the Silver Screen at Atlanta’s own SCADshow, the successful and hilariously funny “The Three Must-Get-There’s”, “Seven Years Bad Luck” and “Be My Wife”.

In addition, a series of eight short-films will be screened during a unique event under the stars FRENCH FILMS IN THE PARK. A film lover’s delight!


FRENCH FILMS AT THE PARK: A night of short films with Max Linder
WHEN:
Sunday, October 19 at 7.30 p.m.
WHERE:
Woodruff Park, Peachtree Street Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30303

Eight short-film comedies starring Max Linder will be screened in the park from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

-Les débuts de Max Linder au cinéma (Max Linder’s Film Debut) – 1910

-Max prend un bain (Max takes a bath) – 1911

-Max en convalescence (Max is recovering) – 1911

-Entente cordiale (A cordial understanding) – 1912

-Max a peur de l’eau (Max is afraid of water) – 1912

-Max et Jane veulent faire du théâtre (Max and Jane get into acting) – 1912

-L’amour tenace (A tenacious love) – 1912

-Les vacances de Max (Max’s holidays) – 1913


DISCOVERING MAX LINDER AT SCADshow
WHEN:
October 26 , 2014 from 2:00 p.m.
WHERE:
SCADshow (formerly 14th Street Playhouse),173 14th St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

Be my wife (1921). 55 minutes. (Silent w/ English intertitles)
Only thirteen minutes of this Linder classic were thought to remain at one point. Thankfully a 2011 restoration has returned it to its full glory. Max longs for the exquisite Mary—but her aunt prefers another suitor. A combination of love and defiance spurs Max to ignore the aunt’s demands and claim Mary for himself.

The Three Must-Get-Theres (1922). 58 minutes. (Silent w/ English intertitles)
A sly upending of the legendary tale by Dumas (as well as a parody of Douglas Fairbanks’ adaptation from the year prior), with Linder embodying the dashing D’Artagnan—or “Dart-in-Again,” as it were.  It was Linder’s last film made in the U.S. before returning to France for his final productions.

Seven years bad luck (1921). 62 minutes. (Silent w/ English sub)
Perhaps the greatest feature in Linder’s rich filmography, Seven Years Bad Luck is a showcase for his talents as a comedian and filmmaker. When a drunken evening results in a shattered mirror, Max tries to head common wisdom and avoid his seven-year sentence. Of course, his attempts to avoid misfortune inadvertently invite more of it upon him.

This event is free and open to the public.

This France-Atlanta 2014 event is organized and made possible with the help of our partners: