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- During an entertainment given by Engineer Dechelette, the former model Fanny Legrand comes across Jean Gaussin D'Armondy, who is studying law in Paris. On the eve of breaking away from her, he happens to hear that she is no other than the celebrated Sapho, Sapho called on Jean from time to time at his student's quarters and after nursing him through a long illness, she succeeds in deciding him to keep her with him. Sapho is happy in finding a small apartment where they shelter their love. One day the sculptor, Goudal, lifted a corner of the veil that hid Sapho's past. This made Jean jealous and Sapho appeased him by the surrender of her old letters. The sudden blaze of those innumerable papers caused the chimney of the house to catch fire. Neighbors rushed in and among the rescuers, Sapho recognized her father, the old driver. Ashamed, she dreaded that Jean's refined nature would take umbrage at the new stain. The initial frail link has been turned into a solid chain that nothing can break. At times Jean is indignant and revolts, but Sapho always gets the better of him. After some high words with Sapho, and on the invitation of his uncle Cesaire, Jean takes a trip to his home. As soon as he returns, Sapho regains her hold on him. Rosario Sanchez, a former friend of Sapho, whom she has made stewardess of her mansion, invites Jean and his mistress to luncheon. On that occasion, Rosario introduces Jean to DePotter, the celebrated musician. Sapho's friends make fun of her disinterested love. Disgusted at his bondage, DePotter tells Jean, as an example of what he is to expect of the hard life he leads with Rosario. A few days later, it is decided to leave the mansion and go to live at Chaville, close to the Hetteman's. At the pressing request of Sapho, Jean adopts a child, in total ignorance that the child is the son of Flamant, condemned for forgery. That day, in celebration of their installation at Chaville, they all have a picnic in the woods. It is there that they meet Irene Bouchereau, niece of the family doctor. This causes a terrible quarrel, which is only stopped by the sound of Hetteman's horn. One day Dr. Bouchereau meets Jean in a train and invites him to his house. The young people are pleased with each other. Then comes Jean on the eve of marrying the doctor's niece. Sapho compels him to give up all thoughts of marriage. Recognizing that his life is irretrievably bound with that of Sapho, Jean announces to his family that he is going abroad with his friend. His family reproaches and even curses him, especially his father. However, he learns that his mistress has received a visit from her former lover, the father of the child, and maddened by jealousy he insists that Sapho go with him to America. Fortunately for him, it is she who leaves him.
- An ape, turned near human by Dr. Coriolis and given the name 'Balaoo', is smitten by the beauty of Coriolis' niece, Madeleine. Being inquisitive, though, he runs off, getting into mischief, and falls in with a poacher who saves his life. Acting now as his slave Balaoo kills a man for the poacher, but balks on his orders to kidnap Madeleine, deciding instead to set a trap for the poacher.
- This part of the narrative is based on the exploits of the contemporary Bonnot group, a gang of anarchists who relished breaking laws and used cars in their bank robberies to evade the police, in both France and Belgium.
- Mr. Coward has had the unfortunate experience of a fire in his home, and ever since our poor friend has contracted an exaggerated fear of fire, under any form. In fact, his unwarranted nervousness in this respect approaches the ridiculous, and has become a source of great annoyance to his friends and associates. For instance, Mr. Coward notices a pedestrian lighting a cigar a few rods from the establishment of a petroleum merchant, or he observes that an acquaintance, at his restaurant, has ordered for breakfast an omelet with rum. All these little incidents prey upon the mind of Mr. Coward, who sees in them an element of danger of combustion, and he loses no time in denouncing them, one and all, for their gross carelessness. At last his victims grow weary of his exciting and wholly unnecessary interference, and decide to revenge themselves upon him, and, incidentally, provide a little amusement for themselves. Accordingly, after a little planning, they select a night when they know that old Mr. Coward is comfortably settled for the evening in his cozy sitting room, and having secured a large supply of Bengal lights, they set these off directly under the windows of Mr. Coward's domicile. In an agony of terror, and with the shout of "Fire! Fire!" upon his lips, Mr. Coward rushes for the street. He has scarcely opened the front door, however, when he is treated to a chilly shower of nice, refreshing water, which is delightfully antagonistic to any kind of fire. His former victims, across the street, set up a shout of delight, but to their great amusement, in that instant Mr. Coward has been cured of his abnormal fear, and joins in the laugh heartily.
- Realizing that she is about to die, the mother of Claire Lenoir writes a pathetic letter to her sister, Mme. Drouard, who is a widow and lives with her only son, Louis, a workman in the mines. She implores her sister to take care of her daughter. The mother and son are inclined to welcome the poor child with tenderness. Louis is deeply impressed with the charm of his cousin. He has a friend. Charles Marcourt, a miner like himself. He, also, is charmed by the beauty of Claire. Although he is confident of Louis' love, he cannot resist the impulse. He makes love to her in very ardent manner, asking her to marry him. She repulses Charles. Louis will be her husband. The engagement day arrives. Charles cannot endure the happiness of his rival. Suddenly he rises and goes in the direction of the river. He wants to die. Claire pursues the young man and reaching him at the water's edge, stops him from carrying out his fatal intentions. In a sisterly manner, she pleads with him. Louis observes them while thus engaged, and misjudges the presence of his betrothed near Charles. Jealousy arises between the two men and a spirit of hatred is engendered. The hate engendered in the hearts of the two rivals continues to the bottom of the mines. The company's engineer, in making his daily tour of inspection detects the presence of fire damp and warns the workmen to leave the mine. He further advises them against opening their lamps. Following his departure, the miners are shown leaving the mine. However the two rivals engage in an altercation and in the struggle which ensues a lamp is broken. A terrific explosion follows. Louis is uninjured but Charles is rendered helpless. Louis picks up Charles and desperately struggles on in an effort to reach a haven of safety. The frantic miners dart here and there through dark passages and holes, while many are overcome and left dying behind. Louis is impeded in his progress by the helpless burden he carries and makes little headway. Suddenly an underground lake bursts through the shattered walls of the mine and the passageways are flooded with water. The only opening to the stairs is cut off by the deluge before Charles and Louis can escape and they are left alone with the rising tide. The wounded rival is tenderly supported by Charles who, swimming through the muddy water, succeeds in reaching a ledge where for a time they are safe. Meanwhile the town is thrown into confusion. The dead and wounded are placed in one of the buildings nearby and there tears of joy for the living mingle with grief-stricken sobs of anguish for the dead. Claire and her aunt are among those who search the faces of the dead. The engineer bravely volunteers to take a body of men to the bottom of the mine. After penetrating many dangerous passageways the engineer finally reaches the walled-in cavity where Charles and Louis were last seen. Here they begin to dig. Louis and Charles, deprived of food and water are becoming slowly exhausted. Suddenly a faint tapping sound is borne to their ears and a wild hope that rescue is near at hand takes possession of them. With all his remaining strength, Louis picks up a piece of timber and pounds on the walls of their prison. Then they wait for an answer. They hear the responsive signal of the rescuers. In vain does Louis implore his dying friend to bear up a little longer. Charles has passed to the Great Beyond praying that Louis might be saved. The rescuers approach nearer and nearer the imprisoned miners. Meanwhile Louis is becoming weaker and weaker. No longer is he able to answer the signals of the engineer. Outside, the rescuing party finally succeed in breaking through the wall. The engineer is the first to crawl through the opening and by the light of his lamp finds their task has been for naught. Charles and Louis are still in death. Sadly and reverently their brother miners remove the bodies to the surface where they are tenderly laid in the chapel surrounded by lighted candles and flowers. Carefully the sad news is broken to Claire and her aunt. At the little chapel all is still and quiet save the sobs of the sorrowing. Here the young orphan comes to mourn those who loved her too well. The engineer tenderly assures Claire of his respect and friendship and she feels a sense of protection stealing over her as she looks into his brave and honest face. That he proved a loyal and devoted husband to the orphaned girl in after years is a fact no one can deny.
- Second part of this film based on the Bonnot group, a band of anarchists active at the time of the film in France and Belgium. Here we witness the end of the group and its arrest.
- Nick Carter, the famous detective, is ordered to prosecute the gang of Zigomar. Carter gets into various thorny situations but manages to escape every time, helped by Olga, a former girlfriend of Zigomar.
- Protea, the best spy of Messinia, is sent on a dangerous mission with The Eel, her partner in crime, to retrieve a secret document in a neighboring country.
- While excavating on the estate of the Count of Noyon, workmen unearth a huge box. The count, his friend Seville, and a Brahmin priest open the box, finding a glass coffin containing the body of a young Indian Princess.
- A reminiscence of her act ten years ago, recalling how she had secretly married Jean Roussel, flashes through the mind of Mathilda, daughter of Professor Stangerson, when her father asks her to become the wife of Robert Darzac, and how their wedding certificate could not be filed as her husband was imprisoned for passing counterfeit money. But she soon dismisses the horror upon the thought that Roussel must have been dead (she never having heard from or of him) and at last consents to the announcement of her betrothal to Darzac. Roussel, however, was still alive and soon learns of the engagement of Mathilda. By a subterfuge he manages to get a note to her telling her that he still loves her and begging her to flee with him to America. Mathilda was too frightened to answer, so Roussel in a jealous rage goes to the residence of Mathilda and hides in the yellow room occupied by her. Mathilda, who had been out walking with her father and fiancé, returned and feeling tired goes direct to her room, where she comes face to face with Roussel, who cautions her not to utter a word of alarm. But Mathilda was very much afraid and screams. In order to stop her, Roussel chokes her into unconsciousness and leaves her for dead. That evening as she joins her father he notices that she is unusually pale and advises her to retire early. She does and no sooner had the household retired when a shot comes from the room of Mathilda. Upon investigation the father finds that his daughter is lying unconscious upon the floor with a deep gash in her head, but no trace of her assailant could be found for the doors and windows were all locked from the inside. Professor Stangerson places the solving of the mystery in the hands of Rouletabille, a noted detective, and inspector Larson, They are given adjoining rooms in the Stangerson castle, and in his work of unraveling the enigma, Rouletabille finds under the bed of Mathilda a hair and a bloody handkerchief. Then Mathilda receives another letter from Roussel, which makes her change her room. At midnight the detective hears sounds coming from the yellow room, and stations Larson and the professor at both ends of the gallery, but no one is found. Previously the detective had caught a glimpse of a bearded man and has come to the conclusion that he must be in the house. He is also surprised to learn that Larson's hair is the color of that which he had found in Mathilda's boudoir. Larson, who was none other than Roussel, sends Mathilda another note and fearing the surveillance of Rouletabille, he invites the detective to supper in his room. He drugs the wine which is drunk by the detective, and as the latter is examining Larson's hair he notices a bad wound in the inspector's hand and then falls unconscious. Rouletabille's assistant brings him around, and after forcing from Larson the marriage certificate deliberately gives him a chance to escape. Then the detective gives Mathilda the unrecorded marriage document, the destruction of which means her freedom to marry Darzac. The mystery of the yellow room was cleared by the detective's remarkable deduction which shows that the deep gash in the head of Mathilda had been caused by a vision of her assailant and she, in a subconscious state, had discharged the revolver in self-defense and in falling had landed against a table, and the ugly wound in Larson's hand had been done when she had her encounter with him in the yellow room.
- Jacques Collin, a convict at the penitentiary of La Rochelle, known to his associates as the King, succeeds, despite a strict watch, to escape. A boat, manned by his accomplices and hidden among the rocks, carried him to safety. Changing his costume and assuming the name of Vautrin, he puts up at a boarding house, inveigles himself into the good graces of the inmates and seeks among them creatures who are likely to help him. In one of his visits to a strange café he is recognized by a noted detective, one Corentin, who, going up to him, grasps his shoulder and bluntly shouts, "Good day, Jacques Collin." The latter, on his guard, does not move a muscle. Corentin leaves furious, but not convinced. He keeps on his trail and, through an indiscretion, Collin is thrown into his hands and as he is arrested, shouts, "In six months I shall be free, then beware." He is as good as his word, and escaping, assumes the name of Councillor Don Carlos Heriera and is once more in the whirl. One day he follows the handsome Lucien De Rubenpre, who, tired of life, contemplates suicide. Collin, arriving on the spot, fascinates him, makes a tool of him, and fills his head with a dream of the conquest of Paris. He and Esther, another tool in the hands of Collin, are thrown into one another's society constantly, and Esther falls in love with Lucien. Collin gets angry. Esther is not rich; she must have money. The banker, Baron De Nucingin, can give that to her. Collin arranges to have her seen in the box of a theater and the banker immediately falls into the trap. Corentin has not abandoned his quarry, but is still hot on his trail. Esther is now in the swim. Nucingin has presented her with a regal mansion, which she has accepted through sheer fear of the Master Criminal, who holds her in his power just as he holds Lucien. Maddened by grief, she seeks solace in death. Collin has been advised by his aunt, who is Esther's housekeeper, to come to her at once. On the way she is accosted by Corentin brandishing a warrant. As he approaches to serve it, Collin upsets him by a blow in the stomach and again makes his escape. Rushing into the house, he seeks refuge on the roof, the detectives in close pursuit. A struggle takes place, and Collin, who is as strong as an ox, takes hold of the detective and hurls him into the street below. Lucien in the meantime is arrested and as justice always triumphs, so Collin eventually is incarcerated. Lucien, fearing the penalty of his crime, ends his life, and when Collin is informed of the fact, he is thunder-struck and falls to the ground limp and powerless. The Master Criminal is brought before the magistrate, having in his possession valuable and incriminating letters against three of the first families of France and offers a compromise that he go free and be appointed Chief of Police, in exchange for the letters which he holds. The compromise is effected and Collin, turning over a new leaf, becomes Master Criminal Hunter instead of Master Criminal.
- A sensational detective story, founded on the romance of Leon Sazie. The noted criminal who terrorized all Europe is shown in these three Zigomar reels in a dramatic and intense struggle for supremacy with Paulin Broquet, the celebrated detective, who takes the two in the most varied and finest resorts. It is literally a chase through the entire continent, with Broquet now having the upper hand and again Zigomar in its possession. Zigomar is the leader of a band of men who persist in plundering rich and poor. They know Broquet is on their trail and set a trap for him. However, he escapes, and in the melee which follows, when he nearly captures Zigomar, the latter also flees. A wonderful feature of this production is the "Will o' the Wisp" dance which the noted dancer, Esmée, performs at a ball in the Moulin Rouge in Paris. The festival begins by a magnificent procession, in which the dancer is carried in a litter, bedecked with jewels. In the succeeding darkness, tiny flames light up and Esmée appears clad in white veils. She appears in the semi-darkness as a white apparition. Then the dance becomes gayer, the dancer turns faster, like a flower with changing colors, and finally sinks exhausted to the floor. There are effects of colored light in this picture that never have been seen before. Immediately following there is a scene of great contrast when Zigomar sets fire to the place and the scene ends in wild disorder.
- Adapted from a one-act Grand Guignol play based on Edgar Allan Poe's short story 'The System of Dr. Tarr and Professor Fether', the film portrays a visitor to an insane asylum where it becomes clear that the inmates have taken control. Telling the visitor that a cure for insanity has been found by cutting out an eye of the patient and then slitting his throat, the "director" hurries into another room, reemerges with blood all over his hands and, as blood seeps from beneath the door, incites other inmates who now surround the visitor.
- Paulin Broquet, the great Parisian detective, has brought the notorious bandit, Zigomar, to justice. Determined not to let the law punish him, he had taken poison in the Hall of Justice. Then he was brought to a hospital where he lay motionless and was visited by hundreds of persons. Among the visitors was a slender woman, dressed in black, who secreted herself in the hospital, and, when all the others had gone, went to the bedside of Zigomar and administered an antidote for poisoning. She was none other than La Rosario, the accomplice of Zigomar. Almost instantaneous with the administering of the antidote, Zigomar opened his eyes and sprang from the bier. They were about to leave the room when the surgeon entered to take a portion of the skin from the bandit's arm, which was all the great detective desired as a recompense for the capture of Zigomar. But he was quickly pounced upon, gagged and placed upon the bier where he was found the next morning by the detective. Later the bandit set a trap for the infuriated Broquet into which he unsuspectingly fell. When the detective was in this predicament, Zigomar offered him $250,000 if he would let him alone. Not acquiescing in this, Zigomar then thrust his captive into an iron cage where he would have starved to death had it not been for the timely rescue by his lieutenant.
- An adaptation of the Sherlock Holmes story about a father trying to gain control of his daughter's inheritance does not include Watson.
- Charles Maucourt and Roger Joris, two mine workers, battle for the love of Claire Lenoir. Their rivalry will be put to the test when they find themselves buried alive in the mine after an explosion.
- A unique subject showing a peculiar species of fish, called "Amblystoma." These are displayed in the various stages from emerging in the embryo state until fully developed. Varieties of this fish are also shown and their methods of killing and eating live prey. Close-up views show the head and body of the fish, and its movements in the water are also clearly seen. When taken from the water this fish loses its gills and assumes an entirely different shape.
- A mother loses first her son and then her husband in the trenches of France during the First World War. She devotes herself to the French cause and to helping those wounded in the war.
- With a US pulp magazine hero and episodes improvised outdoors in Paris's suburbs, Eclair director Jasset began the crime series cycle.The export success of the installments would bring the main star letters from admirers around the world.
- Henri is surrounded by fawning courtiers, who hide behind their smiles a deadly intent to do away with him at the first opportunity in favor of his brother, Duc d'Anjou. There is but one man who is honestly Henri's friend. This man is Chicot the Jester, a huge, handsome, fearless fellow, true as steel, to those who called him friend, deadly as venom to those who dared betray him or his sovereign, and the only person who may speak the truth to the king. Chicot the Jester is given an order by the king for the arrest of the gallant Count De Bussy, whose deserved popularity with the ladies of the court irritates the petulant Henri constantly. Chicot the Jester had the courage of his convictions; he was a man who dared. Knowing his friend De Bussy to be guiltless, he tore the court order into shreds and ordered De Bussy into retirement at the peaceful castle of Baron de Meridor, whose beautiful daughter, Diana Chicot, knew to be the adored one of De Bussy's heart. How De Bussy complied; how he was waylaid by the king's men within Diana's gates; how Diana nursed him secretly; how the uncouth Count de Monsoreau had the beauty kidnapped upon De Bussy's return to court; how De Monsoreau married her before Chicot, who had overheard the plot could interfere.