Nikki Hatchett 

Ballet, the belle epoque and the birth of film – in pictures

Newly restored and tinted images from the Phono-Cinéma-Théâtre at the Paris exhibition in 1900 show revered figures such as Sarah Bernhardt and Carlotta Zambelli demonstrating their talents. Here’s a selection of the finest shots
  
  


Cleo de Merode Phono Cinema Theatre
French dancer Cléo de Mérode. Photograph: Cinémathèque Française/Gaumont Pathé Archives, Paris Photograph: Pathe
Phono Cinema Theatre, poster
A poster advertising the Phono-Cinema-Théâtre. Photograph: Cinémathèque Française Photograph: Cinémathèque Française
Hamlet. Phono Cinema Theatre
Sarah Bernhardt, left, as the Prince in the duel scene of Hamlet. Photograph: Cinémathèque Française/Gaumont Pathé Archives, Paris Photograph: Cinémathèque Française/Gaumont Pathé Archives, Paris
Little Tich. Phono Cinema Theatre
The 4ft 6in clown Little Tich – complete with custom 28-inch shoes. Photograph: Cinémathèque Française/Gaumont Pathé Archives, Paris Photograph: Cinémathèque Française/Gaumont Pathé Archives, Paris
Precieuses ridicules Phono Cinema Theatre.
A scene from the Molière satire Les Précieuses ridicules. Photograph: Cinémathèque Française/Gaumont Pathé Archives, Paris Photograph: Cinémathèque Française/Gaumont Pathé Archives, Paris
Phono Cinema Theatre poster.
Another poster advertising the Phono-Cinéma-Théâtre. Photograph: Collection of David Robinson Photograph: Collection of David Robinson/Cinémathèque Française/Gaumont Pathé Archives, Paris
Sylvia
Carlotta Zambelli in Sylvia. Photograph: Gaumont Pathé Archives Photograph: Sylvia
Sylvia par Carlotta Zambelli, un film du Phono Cinéma Théâtre, 1900.
Another shot of Zambelli. Photograph: Gaumont Pathé Archives Photograph: Sylvia
Cygne
Ballet dancer Jeanne Chasles in Le Cygne. Photograph: Gaumont Pathé Archives Photograph: Cygne
Cygne
A final shot of Chasles. Photograph: Gaumont Pathé Archives Photograph: Cygne
 

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