Ballet Mécanique

Duration: 19

Genre: Short

Year Published: 1924

Creator: un film de Fernand Léger.

Format: 16mm

Color: B&W

Sound: silent

Credits: Léger, Fernand, 1881-1955.; Murphy, Dudley.; Man Ray, 1890-1976.; KiKi.; Thunderbird Films.; Synchro-ciné.

Description: Occasional French text; introductory titles in French precede film proper.; Credits intentionally omitted from film; supplied from: Cubist cinema / Standish Lawder.; Printed successive logos at head of film: Thunderbird Films presents; Synchro-ciné présente.; Title after logos and French introductory text: Charlot présente le Ballet mécanique.; Scrolling introductory text: Le Ballet mécanique a été composé par le peintre Fernand Léger en 1924. C'est le premier film sans scénario. Il a été présenté dans toutes les capitales d'Europe et plusieurs fois à New- York. Jusqu'ici on ne l'avait vu à Paris que dans des réunions privées. Il nous a paru intéressant au moment où les haut- parleurs écartent l'écran toute possibilité de rêve, de présenter ce film dont S.M. Eisenstein a dit qu'il était un des rares chefs-d'oeuvres du cinéma français.; End title: Synchro-ciné, 63 Av. des Champs-Elysées, Paris.; Running time at 24 fps: 10:26 min.; Pacific Film Archive collection; non-circulating. CBPF.; Assistant direction, Dudley Murphy; camera, Dudley Murphy, Man Ray.; [Cast:] Kiki.; The opening title "Charlot présente le Ballet mécanique" is presented by a cut-out likeness of Charlie Chaplin. The film then begins. A woman swings in a swing. Close-ups of a hat, then lips. The lips smile. Cut to wheels (gears) turning. The swinging woman is then printed upside-down. Quick close-ups of clocks' gears, machines, and fractured and faceted images. Cuts of trucks and feet marching. A circle and a triangle quickly alternate frames, creating a fast flickering effect (in the original print, the circle and triangle were hand-painted, but not in this print). Pistons move, egg beaters whir, and then a close-up of eyes. An older woman carrying a laden basket walks up some outdoor stairs. This last footage is repeated. An intertitle appears: On a volé un collier de perles de 5 millions. O's and harnesses shaped like O's are quickly intercut. Another intertitle appears: ZOV. The following images are cut in quick succession: a woman's head; Uncle Sam; disembodied legs; a clock; and a hat and shoe. The film ends with the cut-out Chaplin reappearing.; PFA 1604-01-14624. D0003; Silent version.; PFA 1604-01-14624. COPY-SPECIFC DESCRIPTION: 1 reel of 1 (395 ft.) (11 min.) : si., b&w ; 16 mm. print. CONDITION NOTE: Last checked: 2012/03/12; Dupey print.; PFA 1604-01-2361. CONDITION NOTE: Last inspected: Sept 1992; splices; scratches; Very good condition: two splices, many scratches throughout, some printed on

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Metadata Source:BERKELEY ART MUSEUM AND PACIFIC FILM ARCHIVE