Original subtitles

Gaumont and the Centre National du Cinéma et de I'image animée,

in collaboration with the Cinématheque francaise, present

Directed by

FANTOMAS VS. FANTOMAS

(original release March 1914)

Based on the Novel by Mr. Pierre Souvestre and Mr. Marcel Allain

Set Design Mr. Robert-Jules Garnier

Photography and Editing Mr.Georges Guérin

Fantomas / Father Moche / Tom Bob Mr. René Navarre

Inspector Juve Mr. Edmond Bréon

Nibet, the Guard Mr. Naudier

Chief of National Police Mr. Maury

and

Lady Beltham / Grand Duchess Alexandra Miss Renée Carl

~ Part One FANTOMAS AND PUBLIC OPINION

A rumor spreads through Paris

that young journalist Jérome Fandor, Juve's loyal friend,

could not ignore.

DEBATE

DOES FANTOMAS EXIST?

CLAIM THAT JUVE AND FANTOMAS ARE ONE AND THE SAME

Fandor decides to defend his friend's honor

but the next day, Judge Fuselier summons the Inspector.

"Such a scandal sullies us all

and you know we can't expect any sympathy from the press!"

The public prosecutor will come to decide Juve's fate.

"Arrest this man!"

...in the aforementioned cases.

I hereby order Inspector Juve's immediate incarceration.

Fuselier.

Part Two THE WALL THAT BLEEDS

The same day, Father Moche, landlord of a house in Belleville,

awaits the bank messenger in order to pay his taxes.

The bank messenger goes upstairs to collect from a certain Paulet.

Sir, I present to you the new 5th floor tenant of your building on Evangel Street.

She requests that one room of her apartment, too large,

be divided by a partition.

Your concierge, Doullenque.

A few days later, unable to find the missing bank messenger,

the inspectors are scolded by the Chief of National Police.

"And in The Gaulois, I learn the Americans

have sent a detective to do our job for us!"

On Evangel Street, the new tenant's renovations are nearly done.

The worker hired to hang the wallpaper

was unexpectedly replaced by another...

Blood...

"Thanks to you, we've found the missing bank messenger."

TOM BOB AMERICAN DETECTIVE

Through a noble marriage, Lady Beltham, Fantémas's ex-mistress,

became Grand Duchess Alexandra.

TOM BOB AMERICAN DETECTIVE

"Allow me to atone, in peace, for the follies of our past."

Please deliver the following to the Havas News Agency:

As the police are unable to rid us of Fantomas,

Grand Duchess Alexandra suggests a public donation

to reward whoever brings the bandit to justice.

Funds will be collected at a costume ball

hosted by the Grand Duchess at her villa in Parc des Princes,

and she personally donates 5,000 francs.

_ Part Three

Fantomas is sure to make an appearance at the Grand Duchess's costume ball

so brave Fandor dons the infamous costume of the Man in Black.

SOCIAL EVENTS

Tonight is the highly-anticipated ball of Grand Duchess Alexandra

to raise funds for the reward for Fantomas' arrest.

After 9 o'clock, donations will be collected in the lavish villa in Auteuil,

which we expect to be thronged, anonymous under their masks,

by Paris' most famous figures of high society and the arts.

Ready to confront the real Man in Black,

the young journalist leaves for the Parc des Princes villa.

At Police Headquarters, the Chief of National Police,

stung by the Grand Duchess's initiative, also prepares for the ball.

One of the policemen had the same idea as Fandor...

Grand Duchess Alexandra invites you to attend the ball masked and costumed

at her villa in Parc des Princes on the 19th of this month.

At the ball.

This time, the Grand Duchess' heart quivered.

Apart the Grand Duchess, the quarrel between the two Men in Black

went unnoticed, except by...

Fandor recognizes him as one of the inspectors.

The next morning,

the Chief of Police reflects upon the tragic evening.

The Chief Inspector agrees:

If Fantomas and Juve are the same man,

then Juve's right arm must be wounded!

Judge Fuselier must be informed of this deduction.

They go to the courthouse to open Juve's holding cell...

"This man has been drugged."

"Can we call in all the guards?"

"That's him! ~ Nibet, Fantémas's accomplice!"

In addition to the vial of narcotics,

Nibet the guard carried a bloody knife

which proved Juve's innocence once and for all.

Part Four GETTING EVEN

On the outskirts of Paris, Fandor continues his investigation.

Paulet and a few ruffians demand of Father Moche

a share of the loot from their latest crimes.

"Calm down! I have a message."

Partners in crime,

Have faith. While I'm locked up, trust my right-hand man, Father Moche.

When I get out, which will be soon, you'll get your share of the dough.

Fantomas.

Intrigued, Fandor follows Father Moche.

The next day, at the courthouse,

Judge Fuselier confirms Juve's reinstatement.

TOP SECRET AND CONFIDENTIAL

Inspector Juve resumes his duties with the National Police,

but in order not to interfere with his investigation,

the Inspector's release must remain secret.

Chief of Police.

Inside the hideout, Fandor hears the noise of an engine.

Is it a hope for freedom or a threat of new danger?

"Who are you, Juve or Fantomas?

If you're Fantémas, give us our dough or we'll kill you!"

1e, Fandor! _ LP _— e, Fano "Juve, it's me,

"Say you're Fantomas and tell them to lift the darkest floor slab."

Meanwhile, at the police station near Father Moche's hideout,

a memo arrives.

Inspector Juve resumes his duties with the National Police,

but in order not to interfere with his investigation, the Inspector's release must remain secret.

Chief of Police.

TOM BOB AMERICAN DETECTIVE

"If you want to arrest Fantomas and his gang, follow me."

"Look out! It's the cops!"

"No need to panic, they're on our side."

"But how did you find us?"

"It all fits!

Father Moche is the boss of the gang.

He got him arrested to keep the loot as Tom Bob...

Moche and Bob are none other than Fantomas!"

There's still the Grand Duchess's reward.

For the Inspector, Fantomas won't run without grabbing the loot.

Uncatchable Fantomas!

THE END

This film was restored in 2013 by Gaumont

with the help of the Centre National du Cinéma et de I'image animée

as part of a program for the restoration and digitization of our film heritage,

and in collaboration with the Cinémathéque francaise.

Frames were scanned in 4K from the original nitrate negative,

the internegative and two prints for any missing shots.

The intertitles were reconstructed based on texts intended for theater owners

that were published in 1913 and 1914 by Gaumont.