Alfred Machin

Since a mysterious stranger and his servant settled in a manor near a Provençal village, a wave of crimes has beenfall the country and spread terror among the inhabitants. Young Jean Lormeau, refusing to give in to fear, leaves to meet the disturbing owner to discover his secret.

Since a mysterious stranger and his servant settled in a manor near a Provençal village, a wave of crimes has beenfall the country and spread terror among the inhabitants. Young Jean Lormeau, refusing to give in to fear, leaves to meet the disturbing owner to discover his secret.

The relatives of wealthy, unmarried and slightly eccentric uncle James are all after his money -except his nice Ginette. She brings him to adopt two war orpahns and shows him, how his other relatives raely "love" him. But suddenly the orphans' father, a Lieutenat stands at the door of the house.

The relatives of wealthy, unmarried and slightly eccentric uncle James are all after his money -except his nice Ginette. She brings him to adopt two war orpahns and shows him, how his other relatives raely "love" him. But suddenly the orphans' father, a Lieutenat stands at the door of the house.

One night, someone came looking for Mr. Stevens to take care of an urgent matter … Claude Stevens (played by Claude Machin), who ignored yet the urgent matters, slept an innocent sleep. After returning home, he discovered that Claude has disappeared. And the mysterious kidnapper entrusted an ape to looks after Claude.

One night, someone came looking for Mr. Stevens to take care of an urgent matter … Claude Stevens (played by Claude Machin), who ignored yet the urgent matters, slept an innocent sleep. After returning home, he discovered that Claude has disappeared. And the mysterious kidnapper entrusted an ape to looks after Claude.

A group of youngsters grow up and love in a peaceful French village. But war intrudes and peace is shattered. The German army invades and occupies village, bringing both destruction and torture. The young people of the village resist, some successfully, others tragically, until French troops retake the town.

What we see in this short are Algerian spahis, cavalry units from that country. We watch their military evolutions, their charging at the camera and across the muddy shores. We see them at prayer.

A married man wants to start an affair with his barber's daughter. But the Barber knows how to defend his daughter's virtue.

An army pilot is visiting the home of another army pilot in a neighboring country, and falling in love with his sister, when war breaks out.

An army pilot is visiting the home of another army pilot in a neighboring country, and falling in love with his sister, when war breaks out.

Kaatje, the daughter of the miller Schoonejans, and Jef, a little shepherd, who live near Delft, are happy together. In a floral parade, the carriage the two children have decorated with tulips wins the first prize. The next day, during a thunderstorm, lightning destroys the mill and kills Schoonejans. A life of misery starts for his widow and daughter. Remembering how the theatre manager Boolmans had applauded the dancing of Kaatje and Jef at the floral parade, the widow takes her daughter to Amsterdam, where Boolmans engages Kaatje. The years pass, and Kate has become a famous dancer.

Commissioned by Pathé Frères, Alfred Machin shoots several local stories in Belgium, in a typically Belgian setting. Machin produces not only historical dramas, but also some comedies mainly portraying the Brussels "zwanze", the typical humour of the city's inhabitants, which is characterised by a finely-balanced mix of self-deprecation and exaggeration. In doing so he made his films accessible and recognizable to his audience. Mr Beulemeester, notorious member of the local militia and very possessive when it comes to his daughter, is in this film fooled by charmer and suitor Van Soest.

Based on the book "Au bonheur des dames" written by Emile Zola. "A large shop pays its salesgirls badly and starves them. They become tubercular and their dresses contaminate the rich clients. One of the rare 'social' films of its time." -Georges Sadoul

Two brothers - fishermen - fall for the same girl. So one decides to kill the other. But the attempt fails.

Found recently and restored in 2019, this silent short films follows a young man who is wounded and hides with his girlfriend... .

Found recently and restored in 2019, this silent short films follows a young man who is wounded and hides with his girlfriend... .

On instructions of the French company Pathé Frères, Alfred Machin develops a film industry in the Netherlands and Belgium from 1912 to the advent of World War One. He directs several quality films including La Fille de Delft, Maudite soit la Guerre and this wonderful gem Le Diamant Noir. A man is accused of theft and decides to quit the country. Machin's favourite pet, the panther Mimir shares the lead roll in this film with a magpie.

A cheetah runs away from a fair and steals Belgium's national symbol: Manneken Pis.

Street scenes from Cairo.

Street scenes from Cairo.

A steel worker is told by his girl friend, that she only wants to marry a rich man. A foreign spy hears this and offers him money if he gives him the formula of the new steel he's working with.

Prince Algabert, upholding the traditions of his forefathers, wages a ceaseless feud against the house of Rodembourg, whose reigning lord has one daughter, Elisabeth. One day, the Princess Elisabeth is captured by Algabert's vassals and, forgetful of feuds and quarrels, the Prince falls under the spell of her beauty. Prince Algabert, having released the Princess, goes to her father and begs for her hand, which is, however, haughtily refused. So the breach between the two houses widens. Elisabeth decides to take the veil. On the day of her renunciation Algabert makes an ineffectual attempt to see her. Then, in despair, he provokes the Rodembourgs. He meets them single-handed in the convent cloister and receives his death stroke. Elisabeth till the day of her death mourns her lover and daily tends his grave.

Prince Algabert, upholding the traditions of his forefathers, wages a ceaseless feud against the house of Rodembourg, whose reigning lord has one daughter, Elisabeth. One day, the Princess Elisabeth is captured by Algabert's vassals and, forgetful of feuds and quarrels, the Prince falls under the spell of her beauty. Prince Algabert, having released the Princess, goes to her father and begs for her hand, which is, however, haughtily refused. So the breach between the two houses widens. Elisabeth decides to take the veil. On the day of her renunciation Algabert makes an ineffectual attempt to see her. Then, in despair, he provokes the Rodembourgs. He meets them single-handed in the convent cloister and receives his death stroke. Elisabeth till the day of her death mourns her lover and daily tends his grave.

A hobo takes revenge to a miller who didn't give him something to eat.

A hobo takes revenge to a miller who didn't give him something to eat.

French silent film.

Story about a young boy with a violent drunken father and his downwards spiral after he gets caught shoplifting.

Story about a young boy with a violent drunken father and his downwards spiral after he gets caught shoplifting.

Found recently and restored in 2019 this short silent film tells the story of an artist and his model. One day she's getting seriously ill ... .

Found recently and restored in 2019 this short silent film tells the story of an artist and his model. One day she's getting seriously ill ... .

Each time Mrs Babylas sees an animal, she just can't help herself bring it back home.

Snuders, an avaricious boat-owner, insures his boat The Joanna against accident very much above its value, and then conspires with Verhoff, a notorious drunkard and unprincipled scoundrel, to lose it at sea. The latter agrees to carry out the plan for a consideration of 300 florins, and the bargain is concluded. To lend colour to the affair, Snuders also engages young Tijen as crew, and, despite the entreaties of his sweetheart, Trunski, the latter signs on. Out at sea Tijen discovers a paper which warns him of the villainy which is on foot. But Verhoff acts quickly, and, whilst the young sailor is sleeping in the cabin, the drunkard locks him in, fires the boat, and himself makes good his escape.

The dedication of a young boy

Fouinard is Happy.

A rare bird is hunted down in order to make hats from his feathers.

A rare bird is hunted down in order to make hats from his feathers.

Shot in 1908, the film shows a half-fictionalized hunting expedition in Uganda.

Shot in 1908, the film shows a half-fictionalized hunting expedition in Uganda.

Shot in 1908, the film shows a half-fictionalized hunting expedition in Uganda.

Short documentary on a central african tribe called 'The Chillouks'.

Short documentary on a central african tribe called 'The Chillouks'.

Directed by Alfred Machin.

Johanna loves poor farmer Joachim, yet marries the wealthy miller. One day, Joachim visits Johanna when he is away. When the miller finds out, he takes revenge.

Documentary about making cheese in the Netherlands.

On a market day in Kernascleden, two Breton women exchange their hair for a few coins. The hair becomes hairpieces. Last scene, an elegant Parisian removes her hat and exposes her generous wig skillfully coiffed.

A hunter and his native helpers set up a trap, then taunt and shoot a panther. Next we see the locals skin the animal.

A hunter and his native helpers set up a trap, then taunt and shoot a panther. Next we see the locals skin the animal.

Short documentary about hats in Holland.

Short documentary about hats in Holland.