Calino Wants to Be a Cowboy
"Un Français à la conquête du Far West!"
Plot
Calino, a bumbling and enthusiastic Frenchman, becomes obsessed with the romanticized notion of American cowboy life after reading dime novels and seeing Wild West shows. Determined to experience the frontier firsthand, he travels across the ocean to America, where his comical attempts to adapt to cowboy culture result in a series of hilarious mishaps. From his ridiculous riding attempts to his disastrous encounters with cattle and Native American stereotypes, Calino's journey is filled with slapstick comedy and cultural misunderstandings. Despite his incompetence, Calino's earnest enthusiasm and determination endear him to some local cowboys who try to help him navigate the Wild West. The film culminates in a chaotic yet heartwarming conclusion where Calino, though never becoming a true cowboy, finds his own unique place in the American frontier.
About the Production
This film was part of the popular Calino comedy series produced by Gaumont. Director Jean Durand was known for his innovative camera techniques and dynamic action sequences, which were quite advanced for 1911. The film likely used painted backdrops and minimal sets to simulate the American West, as actual location shooting in America was rare and expensive for European productions at the time.
Historical Background
This film was produced during a transformative period in cinema history. In 1911, the film industry was still establishing itself as a legitimate art form and entertainment medium. France, particularly through companies like Gaumont and Pathé, dominated the global film market. The Western genre was experiencing its first wave of popularity, with audiences fascinated by the mythologized American frontier. This film emerged before the Hollywood studio system was established and before World War I would dramatically alter the European film landscape. The period saw the transition from simple actualities to narrative films with developed characters and plots. Cinema was moving from fairground attractions to dedicated theaters, and films were becoming longer and more sophisticated. The popularity of recurring characters like Calino reflected the industry's move toward creating film stars and series that could attract repeat audiences.
Why This Film Matters
'Calino Wants to Be a Cowboy' represents an early example of cultural exchange through cinema, showcasing how European filmmakers interpreted and adapted the American Western genre. The film demonstrates the global appeal of the cowboy mythos even before Hollywood established its dominance in Western filmmaking. It's part of the important Calino series that helped establish the template for comedy series in cinema. The film also reflects the French fascination with American culture during the early 20th century, while simultaneously presenting it through a distinctly French comedic lens. As an early example of the fish-out-of-water comedy trope, it influenced countless later films. The work of Jean Durand in this and other films helped advance cinematic language, particularly in comedy and action sequences. This film is historically significant as part of the foundation upon which later comedy and Western genres were built.
Making Of
The production of 'Calino Wants to Be a Cowboy' took place during a golden age of French comedy filmmaking. Director Jean Durand, working for Gaumont, was known for his efficient shooting methods and ability to complete films quickly. The cast, particularly Clément Mégé, performed their own stunts, which was common practice in early cinema. The film's Western setting was recreated using studio backdrops and possibly forested areas near Paris. The production team likely used natural lighting for exterior scenes, as artificial lighting was still primitive. The comedy relied heavily on physical gags and visual humor, as intertitles were minimal in early films. Durand's innovative approach included moving camera shots and varied camera angles, which were quite advanced for 1911. The film was probably completed in just a few days, as was typical for one-reel productions of this era.
Visual Style
The cinematography in this 1911 film would have been accomplished using hand-cranked cameras on tripods, with some possible use of early camera movement techniques. Jean Durand was known for his dynamic camera work, so the film likely includes varied camera angles and possibly some tracking shots. The black and white film stock of the era had high contrast, creating dramatic shadows and highlights. Exterior scenes would have relied on natural sunlight, while interior scenes used whatever artificial lighting was available. The Western setting would have been emphasized through wide shots to establish location, followed by medium shots for comedy sequences. The cinematography would have been functional yet innovative for its time, serving the comedy while experimenting with visual storytelling techniques.
Innovations
While modest by modern standards, this film featured several technical achievements for its time. Jean Durand was known for his innovative use of camera movement, including some of the earliest tracking shots in cinema. The film likely employed multiple camera setups for the same scene, allowing for varied angles and better coverage of the action. The production may have used early special effects techniques such as matte shots or multiple exposures to create the illusion of the American West. The stunt work and physical comedy required careful choreography and timing, representing technical skill in performance. The film's editing, while simple by today's standards, was likely more sophisticated than many contemporary productions, with Durand known for his rhythmic cutting style.
Music
As a silent film, 'Calino Wants to Be a Cowboy' would have been accompanied by live musical performance during its theatrical run. The exact musical scores were not standardized and varied by theater. Larger cinemas might have had small orchestras or pianists who would play appropriate music - likely upbeat, comedic pieces for the funny scenes and more dramatic Western-themed music for action sequences. Some theaters might have used compiled scores of popular music of the era, while others might have had specially composed pieces. The music would have been crucial in establishing the Western atmosphere and enhancing the comedic timing of the visual gags.
Famous Quotes
As a silent film, dialogue was conveyed through intertitles and action rather than spoken quotes. The humor relied on visual gags and physical comedy rather than memorable lines.
Memorable Scenes
- Calino's disastrous first attempt at riding a horse, where he repeatedly falls off in increasingly comical ways
- The scene where Calino tries to lasso cattle but ends up tangling himself and nearby cowboys
- Calino's encounter with stereotypical Native Americans where his attempts at communication lead to confusion
- The climactic scene where Calino accidentally becomes the hero of a cattle drive despite his incompetence
- Calino's arrival in America, where his European clothing and mannerisms immediately mark him as an outsider
Did You Know?
- Clément Mégé, who played Calino, was one of the first recurring comic characters in French cinema, appearing in over 50 short films between 1910-1912
- Director Jean Durand was a pioneer of early cinema techniques, including dynamic camera movement and rapid editing that influenced later filmmakers
- The film was made during the peak popularity of Western films in Europe, even though most European filmmakers had never been to America
- Joë Hamman, who appears in the film, was known as 'the French Tom Mix' and was one of the earliest actors to specialize in Western roles in European cinema
- The Calino character represented the typical French everyman, often portrayed as naive but good-hearted, making him relatable to French audiences
- This film was likely shot on 35mm film with hand-cranked cameras, requiring precise timing from the cinematographer
- The cowboy costumes and props were probably based on American traveling Wild West shows that toured Europe in the early 1900s
- Like most films of this era, it would have been accompanied by live musical accompaniment during theatrical showings
- The film's survival status is unknown, as many Gaumont films from this period were lost due to the nitrate film decomposition
- Jean Durand's films were known for their physical comedy and elaborate stunts, which were performed by the actors without safety equipment
What Critics Said
Contemporary critical reception of films from 1911 is difficult to trace, as formal film criticism was still in its infancy. However, films in the Calino series were generally popular with audiences and reviewers of trade publications. The film was likely praised for its comedy and the performance of Clément Mégé. Jean Durand's direction was recognized for its energy and innovation. Modern film historians view this film as an important example of early French comedy and the global spread of Western themes. The film is studied today for its place in the development of cinematic comedy and its role in the early Western genre outside of America.
What Audiences Thought
The Calino films, including this Western-themed entry, were popular with French audiences of the early 1910s. The character of Calino resonated with viewers as a relatable everyman figure. The exotic setting of the American West, even when recreated in French studios, added to the film's appeal. The physical comedy and slapstick elements were well-received by audiences of all ages, as this style of humor was universally understood in silent cinema. The film likely performed well in both domestic French markets and in international exports, as Gaumont had extensive distribution networks. The combination of a familiar comic character with the exciting Western setting would have been a strong draw for contemporary audiences.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- American dime novels about the West
- Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show (European tours)
- Earlier French comedy series
- American Western films of the 1900s
- Commedia dell'arte traditions
- Physical comedy traditions of French theater
This Film Influenced
- Later Calino series films
- Other French comedy-Western hybrids
- European interpretations of American genres
- Early Charlie Chaplin films (similar fish-out-of-water themes)
- Buster Keaton's Western spoofs
- Jacques Tati's Monsieur Hulot films (similar bumbling protagonist)
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Film Restoration
The preservation status of 'Calino Wants to Be a Cowboy' is currently unknown. Many Gaumont films from this period, particularly one-reel comedies, have been lost due to the unstable nature of nitrate film stock used in early cinema. Some films from the Calino series survive in archives such as the Cinémathèque Française, but the specific survival status of this Western-themed entry is not definitively documented. Film preservationists continue to search for lost films from this era in private collections and international archives.