Editor's Top Picks Following the Footsteps of Le petit Jacques: Cul...

Dir: Gaston Roudès

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Le gamin de Paris perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Gaston Roudès

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of L'âme de Pierre perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Dir: Gaston Roudès

Pierre Laurier is under the thumb of a dangerous woman. He considers committing suicide but would like to bequeath his soul to his best friend. Good people save him from death, but his friend falls prey to the bad woman. Pierre then does all he can to remove him from this evil influence. He eventually succeeds and finds serenity with a faithful and pure young girl.

Dir: Gaston Roudès

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Féliana l'espionne perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Gaston Roudès

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Roger la Honte perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Dir: Gaston Roudès

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Gaston Roudès

The theme centers about a peculiar method of blackmail practiced by Count Seroff, an apparently wealthy and influential Parisian. The count owns a magnificent diamond rose, which, he claims, was given him in reward for a service performed by an East Indian Rajah. The count keeps the diamond in an oddly-shaped cabinet, which, at the pressing of a spring, easily opens up. Invariably, after heavy gambling losses, the count takes his young acquaintances to his home and manages to leave them alone with the famous diamond. Temptation comes, the spring is pressed, and suddenly a blinding flash reveals a hidden camera. The count, thoroughly scandalized, then offers to sell the negative for a heavy price, that he may give the proceeds to "charity." Around a story of such splendid possibilities, Eclipse has produced a beautiful two-reel subject. A sweetheart of a girl whose brother was blackmailed by the count, promises to marry the young man provided he will steal the count's diamond. This he does, blindly, getting himself into many difficulties for love's sake.