Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Alice Guy Blaché Vol. 1: The Gaumont Years Blu-ray Movie Review

A must-see collection of early Gaumont shorts directed by Alice Guy Blache.

Reviewed by Neil Lumbard November 19, 2020

A pioneering voice in the history (and language) of cinema, Alice Guy Blache is a hero for female filmmakers. Blanche helped to pave the way for new voices to be heard in the world of cinema for decades to come. The first volume of shorts highlighted by Kino is a terrific compilation that showcases her rich talents and style as a director. There is something magical about watching these early shorts and diving in to the material piece- by-piece.

Exploring social class and the rhythms of the time, Alice Guy Blache is a visionary artist with unique style that stands up to this day. These early shorts are well worth exploration. The shorts highlighted here showcase a number of unique elements: women in unique situations and storylines. For early silent era productions, the direction is highly ambitious. There is a sense of originality on display. Considering the fact that some of these shorts are well over 100 years old, the production quality impresses. The use of stylized color-tinting is exceptional and exciting. These shorts are a great introduction to the artist. A must-see compilation.

A visionary artist. A pioneer for women.

The set includes the following shorts:

Part 1: Babies, Cabbages, and Gender

The Cabbage-Patch Fairy (HD, 1:29)

Midwife to the Upper Class (HD, 4:50)

Madame Has Her Cravings (HD, 4:47)

The Hierarchy of Love (HD, 2:12)

The Results of Feminism (HD, 7:41)

The Coming of Sunbeam (HD, 12:07) is included as a bonus short.

Part 2: Phonoscenes

Alice Guy Films a Phonoscene (HD, 2:11)

The Trottins Polka (HD, 2:50)

In a Bamboo Hut (HD, 2:56)

Indiscreet Questions (HD, 3:22)

The Anatomy of a Draftee (HD, 3:01)

Five O'Clock Tea (HD, 3:18)

The True Jiu-Jitsu (HD, 2:34)

Part 3: Comedies

A Sticky Woman (HD, 2:29)

The Glue (HD, 5:38)

The Drunken Mattress (HD, 10:20)

The Rolling Bed (HD, 4:10)

Alice Guy Blaché Vol. 1: The Gaumont Years Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber, Alice Guy Blache: Volume 1 – The Gaumont Years is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in 1.33:1 full frame. The films are presented in black and white and color tinted versions (for the films produced in that manner originally). There are some notable inconsistencies in the transfers but given the age of the source materials these short films are still entirely watchable. The release showcases plenty of dirt, warps, scratches, and aged film that has suffered from wear over the years: some of the screenshots taken reflect these age-related print deficiencies. Nonetheless, the restoration efforts are commendable, and should be appreciated.

Alice Guy Blaché Vol. 1: The Gaumont Years Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in DTS HD Master Audio. The music sounds superb. These short films feature new music composed by the likes of Sorties d'Artistes, Patrick Laviosa, Tamar Muskal, Donald Sosin, and Joanna Seaton. The scores feature exceptional clarity and detail for the evocative instrumentation. An impressive audio-presentation for these silent gems.

Alice Guy Blaché Vol. 1: The Gaumont Years Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The release includes a booklet featuring an essay written by film historian Kim Tomadjoglou. The booklet covers Alice Guy Blache's Gaumont Years through to the early Solax comedies (as was featured in Vol. 1).

The release includes a selection of bonus films. While these short films were produced by Alice Guy Blache (during her lead role at the studio), these bonus shorts were not necessarily directed by her personally. (A note precedes the presentation of the bonus short features.)

Bonus Shorts Part 1:

Bathing in a Stream (HD, 1:18)

Serpentine Dance by Mme. Walter (HD, 1:36)

Turn-of-the-Century Blind Man (HD, 1:25)

At the Hypnotists (HD, 1:09)

Illusionist Scene (HD, 1:07)

At the Club (HD, 1:14)

Wonderful Absinthe (HD, 1:26)

At the Photographer's (HD, 1:25)

Automated Hat and Sausage Maker (HD, 1:19)

Avenue de l'Opera (HD, 1:21)

Bonus Shorts Part 2:

Dance of the Seasons: Winter (HD, 1:25)

Turn-of-the-Century Surgery (HD, 2:31)

Serpentine Dance by Lina Esbrard (HD, 1:37)

How Monsieur Takes His Bath (HD, 1:24)

What Is a Flag? (HD, 2:42)

The Birth, Life, and Death of Christ (HD, 34:43)

On the Barricade (HD, 4:41)

Race for the Sausage (HD, 4:45)

The Bank Note (HD, 11:43)

The Standing Cock (HD, 2:37)

Restoration Comparison (HD, 3:23) is a short piece which explores the various forms of restoration given to the shorts. Even though the shorts still show considerable age, viewing this comparison featurette showcases just how significant the efforts sometimes were to presenting the material. A worthwhile watch for anyone interested in the process of film preservation.

Alice Guy Blaché Vol. 1: The Gaumont Years Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Alice Guy Blache made an impression as a youthful artist: crafting one fascinating short feature-film after another. Blanche eventually became the head of Gaumont and helped revolutionize the medium for female filmmakers. Volume one contains an absorbing collection of early shorts directed by Alice Guy Blache and several bonus short films produced by her (as highlighted in the supplements). The presentation quality of each short varies somewhat but for the most part this is a lovingly compiled release that showcases significant works from the acclaimed filmmaker (and in the best possible quality). Highly recommended.