Segundo de Chomón

Segundo Víctor Aurelio Chomón y Ruiz (17 October 1871, Teruel, Aragon – 2 May 1929) was a pioneering Spanish film director. He produced many short films in France while working for Pathé Frères and has been compared to Georges Méliès, due to his frequent camera tricks and optical illusions.

He became involved in film through his wife, who was an actress in Pathé films. In 1902 he became a concessionary for Pathé in Barcelona, distributing its product in Spanish-speaking countries, and managing a factory for the colouring of Pathé films. He began shooting actuality films of Spanish locations for the company, then 1905 moved to Paris where he became a trick film specialist.

The body of work he created over five years was outstanding. Films such as Le Spectre Rouge, Kiriki Acrobates Japonais, Le Voleur Invisible and Une Excursion Incohérente are among the most imaginative and technically accomplished of their age; fantastical narratives embellished with ingenious effects, gorgeous colour, innovative hand-drawn and puppet animation, tricks of the eye that surprise and delight, and startling turns of surreal imagination (see, for example, the worms that crawl out of a chocolate cake in Une Excursion Incohérente, one of a number of films where visitors or tourists are beset by nightmarish haunted buildings, a favourite de Chomón theme).

View our playlist of selected films below or The Segundo de Chomón Collection at The Internet Archive.

1921 Camille

Camille is a 1921 silent film starring Rudolph Valentino and Alla Nazimova. It is one of numerous screen adaptations of La Dame aux Camélias by Alexandre Dumas, fils. The original play opened in Paris in 1852. The film moves the setting of the story to 1920s Paris, and includes many lavish Art Deco sets, including that of Marguerite’s apartment. Natacha Rambova, who would later become Valentino’s second wife, was the movie’s art director.

 SYNOPSIS: Camille is a courtesan in Paris. She falls deeply in love with a young man of promise, Armand Duval. When Armand’s father begs her not to ruin his hope of a career and position by marrying Armand, she acquiesces and leaves her lover. However, when poverty and terminal illness overwhelm her, Camille discovers that Armand has not lost his love for her.

Directed by Ray C. Smallwood Produced by Metro Pictures Corporation Written by Alexandre Dumas, fils/June Mathis(adaptation) Starring Rudolph Valentino, Alla Nazimova Distributed by Metro Pictures Corporation Release date(s) September 26, 1921 Running time is approx. 70 minutes (contemporary edit) Country United States Language Silent film, English title cards.

Watch at The Internet Archive or via CinemaVintage, below.

1919 Eyes of Youth

A young woman, confronted by four options for proceeding in her life, is granted the ability to see what results would come from her choice of of the options. After she sees her future along three of the roads, she makes her choice.

Stars: Clara Kimball Young, Gareth Hughes and Pauline Starke Features: Rudolph Valentino Runtime: 78 min Sound Mix: Silent Color: Black and White

This film is often credited for giving Valentino the role that led to him being cast in The Four Horseman of the Apocalypse (1921). Watch at The Internet Archive or on YouTube.