''Paris Qui Dort'' (literally "Paris which sleeps") is a 1924 French science fiction comedy silent feature film (65 minutes) directed by
René Clair
René Clair (11 November 1898 – 15 March 1981), born René-Lucien Chomette, was a French filmmaker and writer. He first established his reputation in the 1920s as a director of silent films in which comedy was often mingled with fantasy. He wen ...
. Also released as ''Le rayon de la mort (55 minutes),'' its international English-language titles were ''The Crazy Ray'' and ''Paris Asleep (usually 55 minutes).'' It has also been released in the USA as a 35 minute short subject called ''At 3:25.'' by Red Seal Pictures.
Plot summary
The film is about a mad doctor who uses a magic ray on citizens which causes them to freeze in strange and often embarrassing positions. People who are unaffected by the ray begin to loot Paris.
Cast
*
Henri Rollan
Henri Rollan (23 March 1888 – 23 June 1967) was a French film actor. He appeared in more than 40 films between 1910 and 1962.
Selected filmography
* '' De afwezige'' (1913)
* '' Les Trois Mousquetaires'' (1921)
* '' The Three Masks'' (19 ...
as Albert
*
Charles Martinelli
Charles is a masculine given name predominantly found in English and French speaking countries. It is from the French form ''Charles'' of the Proto-Germanic name (in runic alphabet) or ''*karilaz'' (in Latin alphabet), whose meaning was "f ...
as The scientist
*
Louis Pré Fils as the detective
*
Albert Préjean as The pilot
*
Madeleine Rodrigue
Madeleine may refer to:
Common meanings
*Madeleine (name), also Madeline, a feminine given name
*Madeleine (cake), a traditional sweet cake from France
*Mary Magdalene, also called the Madeleine
Arts and entertainment
* ''Madelein'' (1919 fi ...
as Hesta, the airline passenger
*
Myla Seller as The niece / daughter of the scientist
*
Antoine Stacquet as The rich man
*
Marcel Vallée
Marcel Vallée (15 January 1880, in Paris – 31 October 1957, in Fontaine-le-Port) was a French actor, primarily of the theater. He began working in films with Max Linder in 1906. He appeared in some American films.
Selected filmography
* '' ...
as the thief
Home media
The film is available on the Region 1
Criterion DVD release of another Clair film, ''
Under the Roofs of Paris
''Under the Roofs of Paris'' (french: Sous les toits de Paris) is a 1930 French film directed by René Clair. The film was probably the earliest French example of a filmed musical-comedy, although its often dark tone differentiates it from othe ...
'' (1930). It is also available for free at the
Internet Archive
The Internet Archive is an American digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It provides free public access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, software applications/games, music, ...
.
See also
*
1924 in science fiction
External links
*
*
1924 films
French science fiction comedy films
French silent short films
1920s French-language films
French black-and-white films
Films directed by René Clair
Films set in Paris
Mad scientist films
1920s science fiction comedy films
1924 comedy films
Silent comedy films
Silent horror films
1920s French films
Silent science fiction films
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