Christine Leteux
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- May 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780813166438
- eISBN:
- 9780813166728
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- University Press of Kentucky
- DOI:
- 10.5810/kentucky/9780813166438.001.0001
- Subject:
- Film, Television and Radio, Film
In the early days of cinema, a forgotten master played a major part in the development of feature film and literary adaptation. In France, Albert Capellani directed for Pathé the first versions of ...
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In the early days of cinema, a forgotten master played a major part in the development of feature film and literary adaptation. In France, Albert Capellani directed for Pathé the first versions of Les Misérables (1912) and Germinal (1913), which were greeted as masterpieces worldwide. Capellani moved to the United States in 1915, where he directed some of the greatest stars of the screen, including Clara Kimball Young, Alla Nazimova, and Marion Davies. He even created his own production company in Fort Lee, New Jersey, then the hub of the film industry. Considered one of the greatest filmmakers of the age, Capellani sank into oblivion after his premature death in 1931. Yet cinema made a giant leap forward thanks to the extraordinary visual sense of this artist, who considered filmmaking on a par with drama, literature, and music. In 2010, the Bologna Film Festival organized a retrospective that restored him to the place he deserves in film history. His amazing career is recounted for the first time after in-depth research in archives. This is the first-ever detailed biography of this pioneer, affectionately nicknamed “Cap” by the Americans. This book follows the adventures of a filmmaker who, together with many fellow French directors, technicians, and cameramen, brought to the American film industry the “French touch.”Less
In the early days of cinema, a forgotten master played a major part in the development of feature film and literary adaptation. In France, Albert Capellani directed for Pathé the first versions of Les Misérables (1912) and Germinal (1913), which were greeted as masterpieces worldwide. Capellani moved to the United States in 1915, where he directed some of the greatest stars of the screen, including Clara Kimball Young, Alla Nazimova, and Marion Davies. He even created his own production company in Fort Lee, New Jersey, then the hub of the film industry. Considered one of the greatest filmmakers of the age, Capellani sank into oblivion after his premature death in 1931. Yet cinema made a giant leap forward thanks to the extraordinary visual sense of this artist, who considered filmmaking on a par with drama, literature, and music. In 2010, the Bologna Film Festival organized a retrospective that restored him to the place he deserves in film history. His amazing career is recounted for the first time after in-depth research in archives. This is the first-ever detailed biography of this pioneer, affectionately nicknamed “Cap” by the Americans. This book follows the adventures of a filmmaker who, together with many fellow French directors, technicians, and cameramen, brought to the American film industry the “French touch.”
Christine Leteux
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- May 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780813166438
- eISBN:
- 9780813166728
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University Press of Kentucky
- DOI:
- 10.5810/kentucky/9780813166438.003.0003
- Subject:
- Film, Television and Radio, Film
After his military service, Capellani worked in a bank while his brother Paul was becoming a famous stage actor working with André Antoine. In 1904, Albert Capellani joined the world of entertainment ...
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After his military service, Capellani worked in a bank while his brother Paul was becoming a famous stage actor working with André Antoine. In 1904, Albert Capellani joined the world of entertainment by becoming the administrator of a famous Paris music hall, the Alhambra, run by a British manager.Less
After his military service, Capellani worked in a bank while his brother Paul was becoming a famous stage actor working with André Antoine. In 1904, Albert Capellani joined the world of entertainment by becoming the administrator of a famous Paris music hall, the Alhambra, run by a British manager.
Christine Leteux
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- May 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780813166438
- eISBN:
- 9780813166728
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University Press of Kentucky
- DOI:
- 10.5810/kentucky/9780813166438.003.0013
- Subject:
- Film, Television and Radio, Film
Capellani was now director-general of the Clara Kimball Young Film Corporation, directed by Lewis J. Selznick (David O. Selznick’s father). He directed three features with the beautiful Clara, ...
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Capellani was now director-general of the Clara Kimball Young Film Corporation, directed by Lewis J. Selznick (David O. Selznick’s father). He directed three features with the beautiful Clara, earning a reputation as a women’s director. By 1917, he decided to leave Selznick, probably to get more freedom.Less
Capellani was now director-general of the Clara Kimball Young Film Corporation, directed by Lewis J. Selznick (David O. Selznick’s father). He directed three features with the beautiful Clara, earning a reputation as a women’s director. By 1917, he decided to leave Selznick, probably to get more freedom.
Christine Leteux
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- May 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780813166438
- eISBN:
- 9780813166728
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University Press of Kentucky
- DOI:
- 10.5810/kentucky/9780813166438.003.0019
- Subject:
- Film, Television and Radio, Film
Capellani’s last years back in France were lonely and aimless. He tried unsuccessfully to go back to filmmaking. His health was failing, and he suffered a stroke. By the time of his death, at age ...
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Capellani’s last years back in France were lonely and aimless. He tried unsuccessfully to go back to filmmaking. His health was failing, and he suffered a stroke. By the time of his death, at age fifty-seven, he was already forgotten. His legacy remained unknown, as all family archives disappeared, leaving no trace of his former glory. His grandson started to research his career about twenty years ago, and prints of Germinal and Les Misérables were restored in the 1980s. Capellani was restored to the place he deserves in film history in 2010, when the Bologna Film Festival organized a retrospective of his films.Less
Capellani’s last years back in France were lonely and aimless. He tried unsuccessfully to go back to filmmaking. His health was failing, and he suffered a stroke. By the time of his death, at age fifty-seven, he was already forgotten. His legacy remained unknown, as all family archives disappeared, leaving no trace of his former glory. His grandson started to research his career about twenty years ago, and prints of Germinal and Les Misérables were restored in the 1980s. Capellani was restored to the place he deserves in film history in 2010, when the Bologna Film Festival organized a retrospective of his films.
Christine Leteux
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- May 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780813166438
- eISBN:
- 9780813166728
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University Press of Kentucky
- DOI:
- 10.5810/kentucky/9780813166438.003.0002
- Subject:
- Film, Television and Radio, Film
Capellani was born in Paris in a middle-class family in 1874. This chapter details his education and that of his brother Paul, who later became an actor in his brother’s films. The background of the ...
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Capellani was born in Paris in a middle-class family in 1874. This chapter details his education and that of his brother Paul, who later became an actor in his brother’s films. The background of the Capellani family and the places where they lived are outlined here, giving hints to the future films Capellani was to direct.Less
Capellani was born in Paris in a middle-class family in 1874. This chapter details his education and that of his brother Paul, who later became an actor in his brother’s films. The background of the Capellani family and the places where they lived are outlined here, giving hints to the future films Capellani was to direct.
Christine Leteux
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- May 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780813166438
- eISBN:
- 9780813166728
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University Press of Kentucky
- DOI:
- 10.5810/kentucky/9780813166438.003.0014
- Subject:
- Film, Television and Radio, Film
Capellani’s brief stint at Mutual Corporation was the lowest point of his career. He made only two films, both with a poor reputation. At this point, his brother Paul, who had been working with him ...
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Capellani’s brief stint at Mutual Corporation was the lowest point of his career. He made only two films, both with a poor reputation. At this point, his brother Paul, who had been working with him since his Pathé years, left for Argentina to become a director. The two brothers never worked together again. Paul was back in France by 1919.Less
Capellani’s brief stint at Mutual Corporation was the lowest point of his career. He made only two films, both with a poor reputation. At this point, his brother Paul, who had been working with him since his Pathé years, left for Argentina to become a director. The two brothers never worked together again. Paul was back in France by 1919.
Christine Leteux
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- May 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780813166438
- eISBN:
- 9780813166728
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University Press of Kentucky
- DOI:
- 10.5810/kentucky/9780813166438.003.0009
- Subject:
- Film, Television and Radio, Film
Capellani and the rest of the Pathé studio had to stop all activities. He was mobilized, but by December 1914 he was discharged because of his chronic diabetes. His two brothers were also mobilized, ...
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Capellani and the rest of the Pathé studio had to stop all activities. He was mobilized, but by December 1914 he was discharged because of his chronic diabetes. His two brothers were also mobilized, and the younger brother died on the front line in September 1914, aged only 20.Less
Capellani and the rest of the Pathé studio had to stop all activities. He was mobilized, but by December 1914 he was discharged because of his chronic diabetes. His two brothers were also mobilized, and the younger brother died on the front line in September 1914, aged only 20.
Christine Leteux
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- May 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780813166438
- eISBN:
- 9780813166728
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University Press of Kentucky
- DOI:
- 10.5810/kentucky/9780813166438.003.0007
- Subject:
- Film, Television and Radio, Film
Capellani was now the principal filmmaker at SCAGL. In 1913, he made a powerful adaptation of Zola’s Germinal, shot partially on locations. This film was particularly striking for the underplaying of ...
More
Capellani was now the principal filmmaker at SCAGL. In 1913, he made a powerful adaptation of Zola’s Germinal, shot partially on locations. This film was particularly striking for the underplaying of its actors and its documentary style. He also adapted contemporary novels, such as La Glu (1913) with Mistinguett and his brother Paul Capellani, mixing tragedy and humor.Less
Capellani was now the principal filmmaker at SCAGL. In 1913, he made a powerful adaptation of Zola’s Germinal, shot partially on locations. This film was particularly striking for the underplaying of its actors and its documentary style. He also adapted contemporary novels, such as La Glu (1913) with Mistinguett and his brother Paul Capellani, mixing tragedy and humor.
