Language: Silent (123)

Madam's Fancies/Madame's Cravings (Madame a des envies)

This shows that pregnancy is an opportunity for a woman to ruthlessly indulge every passing fancy. But her jones, can break his bones - partners beware! Uses medium shots within the narrative, in a way similar to the 1903 'Mary Jane's Mishap.'

The Banknote (Le billet de banque)

A pre-Chaplin tale of tramp troubles. Tramp rescues wealthy couple from robbery and is rewarded with a bank note, but when he tries to use it he just gets the old bum's rush. Reasoning that 'clothes make the man', he attempts to solve the problem by...robbery.

The Cleaning Man (Le Frotteur)

Fans of Rik Mayall/Ade Edmondson's brand of 'full-on destruction' comedy will bow down in homage to this pioneering work of riotous excess.

The Race for the Sausage (Course a la saucisse)

Dog goes for sausage, town goes after dog. Similar to Pathé's 'The Policemen's Little Run' (released the same year), but towers over the competition in scoring for PPM (Pratfalls Per Minute).

The Torn Trousers/In A Difficult Position (Mon Pantalon Est Décousu)

Max uses finesse to try to hide a rip in his trousers during a dance. This is quintessential Max: the dapper and loveable upper-class twit whose efforts to impress ladies crash and burn while he tries to keep face, in the modern man's dilemma of maintaining the delusion of stability as his world falls apart.

His First Cigar (Premier Cigare d'un Collegien)

This is not Max, the dapper and loveable upper-class twit, but appears to be the same schoolboy in 'In Love With The Bearded Woman' (same uniform and still living with parents), who takes a crack at cigar-smoking. Closeup shots showcase Linder's remarkable expressive abilities, as he demonstrates how to choke with finesse.

Pedicure for Love/Unwilling Chiropodist (Pédicure Par Amour)

When papa steps in, Max must stop romancing the daughter and pretend to be a pedicurist.

An early version of what seems to have been a sort of signature skit for Linder: it was remade in 1914, and then a portion of the remake appears in another film as the catalyst that spawns a Max Linder imitator. This version includes André Deed (as the real pedicurist, who ends up romancing the wife), Pathé's star comic before Linder. Deed's exit from Pathé gave Linder his opportunity for stardom. This may be the only surviving film where they are seen together - although with the poor quality and distant camera, actually not much can be seen.

Beginning of the Serpentine Dance (Création de la Serpentine)

Here Linder pays his dues in a way familiar to many comics: as merely the comic lead-in to the girlie show.

The Zulu's Heart

The 1906 Bambatha Rebellion, a Zulu revolt against British rule and taxation in South Africa, put "Zulu" in the headlines and, consequently, in the minds of filmmakers scrounging for new conflicts to exploit. This one is less overtly political and certainly more polished than "How A British Bulldog Saved The Union Jack" - so it is not as funny, other than the standard comic relief of the helpless damsel flailing about.

The Necklace

Lots of laughs in the beginning, as the leads binge on theatric hugs and kisses. But after the party's over, it's just another lifeless morality tale adapted from the 1888 short story “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant, warning of the perils of vanity (sans titles, so if you're not familiar with the story you'll have to hire your own narrator).

The Surprises of a Flirtation (Les surprises de l'amour)

A father and two sons pursue the same dame. Even though this release date is not in Linder's early period, this is not Max, the dapper and loveable upper-class twit.