Two Girls Are in Love with Foolshead
Plot
In this classic silent comedy, the bumbling and clumsy character Gribouille (played by André Deed in his Cretinetti persona) finds himself in a romantic predicament when he courts two young women simultaneously. His awkward and foolish behavior leads to comedic chaos as he attempts to juggle both relationships without either woman discovering the other. However, his luck runs out when two sophisticated gentlemen enter the picture, charming the ladies away with their refined manners and proper courtship. The film culminates in a series of hilarious mishaps and physical gags as Gribouille desperately tries to win back his lost loves, ultimately failing in the most comical fashion possible. This short comedy showcases the slapstick genius that made André Deed one of the most popular comedians of early cinema.
Cast
About the Production
This film was part of the popular Cretinetti series that André Deed created for Italian audiences, though it was likely produced in France. The film utilized the simple studio sets typical of the era, with minimal location shooting. As with many early comedies, the physical comedy relied heavily on André Deed's athletic abilities and timing, requiring multiple takes to perfect the slapstick sequences. The production would have used hand-cranked cameras, requiring precise coordination between the camera operator and the actors.
Historical Background
1911 was a pivotal year in cinema history, occurring during the transition from short novelty films to more sophisticated storytelling. The film industry was rapidly expanding globally, with France and Italy leading production. This period saw the rise of the star system, with actors like André Deed becoming international celebrities. The film was produced during the golden age of French cinema, before World War I would disrupt European film production. Silent comedies were extremely popular, serving as universal entertainment that transcended language barriers. The year 1911 also saw significant technical advances in film technology, including improvements in camera stability and film stock quality. Cinema was transitioning from fairground attractions to dedicated theaters, creating a growing demand for professional content.
Why This Film Matters
This film represents an important example of early European comedy cinema and the international appeal of silent film stars. André Deed's Cretinetti character was one of the first truly international film celebrities, with his films being distributed worldwide. The film's romantic comedy elements, though simple by modern standards, helped establish narrative tropes that would become staples of the genre. The physical comedy style demonstrated in this film influenced generations of comedians and helped define the language of cinematic humor. The film also exemplifies the cross-cultural nature of early European cinema, with French actors creating content for Italian markets and vice versa. Its preservation provides valuable insight into the entertainment values and social norms of the early 20th century.
Making Of
The production of this film followed the rapid-fire schedule typical of early cinema, with André Deed often completing multiple shorts in a single week. The director, likely working for Gaumont or Pathé, would have relied heavily on Deed's established comic persona and improvisational skills. The simple plot allowed for maximum physical comedy, which was Deed's specialty. The film was shot in a studio with painted backdrops representing various locations, a common practice of the era. The two female leads were likely chosen more for their willingness to participate in slapstick gags than for their acting experience. The production team would have worked with natural lighting from studio skylights, as artificial lighting was still primitive. The film's editing was minimal, consisting mostly of long takes to capture the full physical comedy sequences.
Visual Style
The cinematography of this film reflects the technical limitations and stylistic conventions of 1911. The camera was likely static for most scenes, mounted on a tripod to maintain stability during the hand-cranking process. Long takes were favored to capture the full range of physical comedy without interruption. The lighting would have been natural, coming from studio skylights or windows, creating soft but inconsistent illumination. The film stock used was orthochromatic, which rendered colors differently than modern film and was particularly sensitive to blue light. The camera work prioritized clarity of action over artistic composition, ensuring that the audience could follow every slapstick moment. The framing was typically medium shots to capture both the actors' expressions and their physical movements.
Innovations
While not technically innovative for its time, the film demonstrates the refinement of existing cinematic techniques. The use of continuity editing to tell a coherent story across multiple scenes was still relatively new in 1911. The film's physical comedy required precise timing between actors and camera, showcasing the growing sophistication of film performance. The production likely used the latest 35mm film stock available, offering improved image quality over earlier films. The film's distribution across multiple countries demonstrated advances in international film distribution networks. The preservation of the film itself, allowing modern viewing, represents an achievement in film restoration and archiving.
Music
As a silent film, the original production had no recorded soundtrack. However, theatrical presentations would have featured live musical accompaniment, typically provided by a pianist or small orchestra. The music would have been selected from popular classical pieces, theater repertoire, or specially composed cues. The accompaniment would have emphasized the comic elements with lively, playful melodies and synchronized with the on-screen action. In some larger theaters, sound effects might have been created manually using various props and devices. Modern screenings of restored versions often feature newly composed scores that attempt to capture the spirit of the period while enhancing the viewing experience.
Did You Know?
- André Deed was one of the highest-paid actors of his time, earning up to 3,000 francs per week during his peak
- The character Cretinetti was André Deed's Italian persona, while he was known as Boireau in French films
- This film was part of a series of over 100 Cretinetti shorts produced between 1909 and 1912
- André Deed began his career working with Georges Méliès before becoming a comedy star in his own right
- The film's title varied by country: 'Due ragazze sono innamorate di Cretinetti' in Italy, 'Deux filles sont amoureuses de Gribouille' in France
- Silent films of this era often featured live musical accompaniment, with theaters providing their own scores
- The film was likely shot on 35mm film, the standard format of the period
- André Deed's comedic style influenced later silent comedians including Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton
- Many of Deed's films were considered lost for decades before being rediscovered in various film archives
- The physical comedy in these films required André Deed to perform his own stunts, often resulting in minor injuries
What Critics Said
Contemporary reviews of André Deed's films were generally positive, with critics praising his energetic performance and comic timing. The trade press of the era, such as Ciné-Journal and Pathé's own publications, regularly highlighted the popularity of Deed's characters. Modern film historians recognize the importance of Deed's work in the development of cinematic comedy, though individual films like this one are rarely analyzed in detail. Critics today appreciate the film as an example of early slapstick and its role in establishing comedy conventions. The film is valued by silent cinema enthusiasts for its representation of André Deed's contribution to early film comedy.
What Audiences Thought
André Deed's films were enormously popular with audiences across Europe and America during this period. The Cretinetti character was particularly beloved in Italy, where Deed's films consistently drew large crowds. Audiences of the era appreciated the visual humor and physical comedy that required no intertitles or language comprehension. The film's simple romantic premise would have been immediately accessible to working-class audiences who comprised the majority of cinema-goers in 1911. The popularity of Deed's work led to merchandise and promotional materials featuring his characters, indicating strong audience engagement. Contemporary accounts suggest that audiences would often laugh loudly and interact with the screen during his films' comic moments.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- Georges Méliès's fantasy films
- French theatrical comedy traditions
- Commedia dell'arte character archetypes
- Max Linder's comedies
- Early Pathé comedies
This Film Influenced
- Charlie Chaplin's early shorts
- Buster Keaton's comedies
- Harold Lloyd films
- The Three Stooges shorts
- Jacques Tati's comedies