Calmettes, André

(1861-1942)

   Actor, director, and producer. André Calmettes was born in France. He began his career, as so many of the film pioneers did, in the theater, where he was an actor. In 1908, the newly formed Studio Film d'Art hired Calmettes on as head of production. While at Film d'Art Calmettes directed several films, including Un Duel sous Richelieu (1908); L'Assassinat du Duc de Guise (1908), made in collaboration with Charles LeBargy; MacBeth (1909); La Dame aux camélias (1912); Madame sans gêne (1911); and Les Trois mousquetaires (1912).

   Calmettes's directorial style was heavily influenced by classical French theater and might be considered overly theatrical by some. This, however, is not surprising given his background in theater and the artistic pretensions of Film d'Art. He is credited with having elevated film by raising the expectations of both content and performance. He is also known for having brought famed stage actress Sarah Bernhardt to the screen. When Film d'Art folded in 1913, Calmettes returned to the stage. He did not work in film again except occasionally as an actor, notably in Le Petit chose (1923).