Presented by Arthur Mayer and Edward Kingsley, “Paris 1900” (1947) is an English adaption of Pierre Braunberger’s film “La Belle Epoque (1900-1914)” by John Mason Brown. Narrated by Monty Woolley, the film, which consists of a combination of over 700 archival and scripted film clips from the early 20th century, depicts life in Paris and across France during a time of great progress and development, the “Bronze Age.” Featured here is the first-half of the film which emphasizes topics like the 1900 Paris Exposition and trends in fashion, sport, and lifestyle among French elites.
Film opens, opening credits (0:11-1:52). La Grande Roue (The Big Wheel) from Exposition Universelle 1:54). Moulin Rouge windmill (2:12). Paris Tramway Omnibus Madeleine-Bastille Bus Line (2:18). Monument à la République statue by Léopold Morice (2:38). Bustling scenes from outdoor market (2:52). Gendarmerie (police) pursue thieves (3:46). View down the Seine (4:54). Outline of Eiffel Tower appears through fog in the distance (5:00). Luxor Obelisk at Place de la Concorde (5:11). Gustave Eiffel accompanied by shots of the Eiffel Tower, everyday ephemera (pamphlets, posters) in popular culture referencing the architectural wonder (5:14). French President Émile Loubet holds banquets at tower’s 1st floor restaurant (5:51). View from Seine of different buildings, structures that make up the Exposition Universelle (6:14). Montage clips of President Loubet greeting constituents from back of automobile, walking with politicians, on hunting trip, meeting with other dignitaries at galas and events, received in Tunisia (6:41). President Loubet and other officials take ride on newly inaugurated public Metro; POV from inside train car as it rides around city (7:37). Nouveau architecture around Paris: Hector Guimard designed type B kiosk (La Libellule) at entrance to Porte Dauphine station (8:07). Entrance door to Lavirotte Building (8:21). Exhibition at Exposition Universelle showcasing Louis Majorelle furniture design (8:34). Women gathered in traditional salon setting demonstrate proper manners, etiquette (8:53). “Vogue” fashion, jewelry, hat, and beauty trends for women (9:33). Popular fashion designers and ateliers: Jeanne Boué, Jean-Philippe Worth, etc. (11:21). Women in sports: Women seen figure skating, playing field hockey (11:38). New professions and fashion: Women seen wearing trousers, driving trains and cabs around France (12:09). Suffragette Movement, Emmeline Pankhurst (12:44). “Breaking out” of/ rejecting the corset (13:24). “Modern” women in painting and photograph: Marcelle Lender (14:14). La Belle Otero performs Flamenco dance, other performers at the Exposition Universelle (14:23). Clips from cinema of the time: “Convicted by Hypnotism,” “La Maison Blanche” etc. (15:34). Henry Gauthier-Villars and writer Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette at their countryside home (17:01). Professor Charles Richet carries out sleep studies, hypnotism as treatment; Clip from “La Chrysalide et le Papillon d’or” (1901) as if dream of woman (17:30). Psychologist Émile Coué (18:32). Popular male figures: Boni de Castellane, Robert de Montesquiou, Pierre Louÿs, Oscar Wilde etc. (19:17). Clips of women, men promenading in park; Season of carnivals (19:40). Perhaps horse racing at Grand Prix du Paris (20:53). Different sportsmen: Jean Bouin, Roger Rivière (21:09). Champion cyclist Roger Rivière (21:37). Perhaps scenes of Gordon Bennett Cup automobile race (21:58). Grand Prix de l’Aéronautique, hot air balloon competition (22:08). Italian writer Gabriele D’Annunzio and his greyhound racing and hunting dogs (22:40). High society guests arrive for wedding celebration of Gustave Eiffel’s daughter in early 20th century automobile models (23:45). Paris Gare de Lyon railway station (24:42). People stroll along Promenade des Anglais, Nice (24:47). Statue Zouave at Pont de l’Alma, heavy rain causes 1910 Great Flood of Paris; City goers use rowboats, rafts to get around (25:47). Preparations for Paris Carnival; elected “Queen” of festival is escorted through crowd (27:53). Aerial view Luna Park amusement park near Porte Maillot; Turkish, Chinese, Japanese shows (29:14). Buffalo Bill in Paris (30:10). Bastille Day celebrations (31:25). Families escape city during summer, scenes of families enjoying coastline, bungalows (33:07). Film ends (34:58).
This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com