"Figures De Cire" (1914) was another work for "Éclair" films. If this German count remembers well it was Herr Tourneur second collaboration with Herr André de Lorde. Herr de Lorde was the master of the "Grand Guignol" genre, those theatrical works full of terrifying realistic elements such as murders, mutilations and other bloodcurdling situations that the Parisians liked so much at the beginning of the last century.
Due to those artistic references, not to mention that "Figures De Cire" was considered lost until 2007, the film is very estimable. This short film ( 11 minutes ) summarizes its theatrical references with the virtues of the "Grand Guignol" genre but transferred to the silent screen. Herr Touneur was more interested in the psychological aspect of the story than to show effective special effects. For that reason, it is especially remarkable because of its ill, decadent and threatening atmosphere.
It is obvious that "Figures De Cire" was an illustrious reference for Herr Gance's "Au Secours" (1924) ( Herr Gance made a comedy with basically the same plot that has "Figures De Cire". That is to say, a man must spend a night in a sinister place in order to gain an important sum of money
by the way, in those silent times, bourgeois men were very stylish and spent those dreadful nights with top hat and tuxedos
). More doubtful for this German count are some comments that said that Herr Tourneur film influenced Herr Leni's notorious "Das Wachsfigurenkabinett" (1924) because, although many elements coincide in both films, the development of the story and the artistic intentions are completely different.
And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count must find some more lost films in the Schloss cellar.
Herr Graf Ferdinand Von Galitzien http://ferdinandvongalitzien.blogspot.com/
