A work in constant progress (and occasional regress).
Alias:
Gabriel-Maximilien Leuvielle
Gentleman Max
Birthplace:
Cavernes, Saint-Loubès, Gironde, France
Born:
December 16, 1883
Died:
November 1, 1925
Although all too frequently neglected by fans of silent comedy, Max Linder is in many ways as important a figure as Charles Chaplin, Buster Keaton, or Harold Lloyd, not least because he predated (and influenced) them all by several years, and was largely responsible for the creation of the classic style of silent slapstick comedy. He started out as an actor in the French theatre, but after making his screen debut in 1905 he quickly became an enormously famous and successful film comedian on both sides of the Atlantic, thanks to his character "Max", a top-hatted dandy. By 1912, he was the highest-paid film star in the world, with an unprecedented salary of one million francs. He began to direct films in 1911 and showed equal facility behind the camera, but his career suffered an almost terminal blow when he was called up to fight in World War I. He was gassed, and the illness that resulted would blight his career. Although offered a contract in America, recurring ill-health meant that his US films had little of the sparkle of his early French work, and a brief attempt to revive his career by making films for the recently-formed United Artists (one of whose founders, of course, was Chaplin) in the early 1920s came to little, although these later films are now regarded as classics. He returned to France and killed himself in a suicide pact with his wife in 1925.
Director:
1906 Attempted Suicide
1908 Troubles of a Grass Widower
1909 Love's Surprises
1909 The Gentleman Thief
1910 I Want a Baby
1910 Le serment d'un prince
1910 Max Embarrassed
1910 Max Gets Stuck Up
1910 Max est distrait
1910 Max's First Job
1910 The Adventures of Tartarin the Younger
1911 Champion de boxe
1911 Comment Max fait le tour du monde
1911 Max Is Convalescent
1911 Max Takes Tonics
1911 Max a un duel
1911 Max and His Mother-in-Law
1911 Max and Jane Want to Do Theater
1911 Max se marie
1912 A Farmhouse Romance
1912 An Agitated Night
1912 Cordial Agreement
1912 Jalousie
1912 Long-Lasting Love
1912 Max Fears the Dogs
1912 Max Juggles for Love
1912 Max Sets the Fashion
1912 Max Takes Back His Freedom
1912 Max Wants to Grow
1912 Max amoureux de la teinturière
1912 Max and His Dog Dick
1912 Max and the Donkey
1912 Max and the Statue
1912 Max émule de Tartarin
1912 Max, Tango Teacher
1912 Max: Boxer By Love
1912 The Romance of Max
1912 The Water-Funker
1912 The Wedding Trunk
1912 Un pari original
1913 An Unexpected Marriage
1913 Le billet doux
1913 Le duel de Max
1913 Max Hates Cats
1913 Max Linder Does All the Sports
1913 Max Linder's Appointment
1913 Max Toreador
1913 Max as a Musician
1913 Max's Hat
1913 Max: Jockey for Love
1914 Max Sets the Style
1914 Max Speaks English
1914 Max Wishes He Hadn't
1914 Max and the Jealous Husband
1914 Max and the Lady Doctor
1914 Max as a Chiropodist
1914 Max asthmatique
1914 Max's Latest Hobby
1914 Max's Vacation
1914 The Forced Marriage
1915 Chance and Love
1915 Hairdresser of Love
1915 Max in Monaco
1917 Max Comes Across
1917 Max Wants a Divorce
1917 Max and the Purse
1917 Max devrait porter des bretelles
1917 Max in a Taxi
1917 Max the Heartbreaker
1917 Max, médecin malgré lui
1921 Be My Wife
1921 Seven Years Bad Luck
1922 The Three Must-Get-Theres
Producer:
1906 Attempted Suicide
1908 Troubles of a Grass Widower
1909 Love's Surprises
1909 The Gentleman Thief
1910 I Want a Baby
1910 Le serment d'un prince
1910 Max Embarrassed
1910 Max Gets Stuck Up
1910 Max est distrait
1910 Max's First Job
1910 The Adventures of Tartarin the Younger
1911 Champion de boxe
1911 Comment Max fait le tour du monde
1911 Max Is Convalescent
1911 Max Takes Tonics
1911 Max a un duel
1911 Max and His Mother-in-Law
1911 Max and Jane Want to Do Theater
1911 Max se marie
1912 A Farmhouse Romance
1912 An Agitated Night
1912 Cordial Agreement
1912 Jalousie
1912 Long-Lasting Love
1912 Max Fears the Dogs
1912 Max Juggles for Love
1912 Max Sets the Fashion
1912 Max Takes Back His Freedom
1912 Max Wants to Grow
1912 Max amoureux de la teinturière
1912 Max and His Dog Dick
1912 Max and the Donkey
1912 Max and the Statue
1912 Max émule de Tartarin
1912 Max, Tango Teacher
1912 Max: Boxer By Love
1912 The Romance of Max
1912 The Water-Funker
1912 The Wedding Trunk
1912 Un pari original
1913 An Unexpected Marriage
1913 Le billet doux
1913 Le duel de Max
1913 Max Hates Cats
1913 Max Linder Does All the Sports
1913 Max Linder's Appointment
1913 Max Toreador
1913 Max as a Musician
1913 Max's Hat
1913 Max: Jockey for Love
1914 Max Sets the Style
1914 Max Speaks English
1914 Max Wishes He Hadn't
1914 Max and the Jealous Husband
1914 Max and the Lady Doctor
1914 Max as a Chiropodist
1914 Max asthmatique
1914 Max's Latest Hobby
1914 Max's Vacation
1914 The Forced Marriage
1915 Chance and Love
1915 Hairdresser of Love
1915 Max in Monaco
1917 Max Comes Across
1917 Max Wants a Divorce
1917 Max and the Purse
1917 Max devrait porter des bretelles
1917 Max in a Taxi
1917 Max the Heartbreaker
1917 Max, médecin malgré lui
1921 Be My Wife
1921 Seven Years Bad Luck
1922 The Three Must-Get-Theres
Scenario Writer:
1906 Attempted Suicide
1908 Troubles of a Grass Widower
1909 Love's Surprises
1909 The Gentleman Thief
1910 I Want a Baby
1910 Le serment d'un prince
1910 Max Embarrassed
1910 Max Gets Stuck Up
1910 Max est distrait
1910 Max's First Job
1910 The Adventures of Tartarin the Younger
1911 Champion de boxe
1911 Comment Max fait le tour du monde
1911 Max Is Convalescent
1911 Max Takes Tonics
1911 Max Takes a Bath
1911 Max a un duel
1911 Max and His Mother-in-Law
1911 Max and Jane Want to Do Theater
1911 Max se marie
1912 A Farmhouse Romance
1912 An Agitated Night
1912 Cordial Agreement
1912 Jalousie
1912 Long-Lasting Love
1912 Max Fears the Dogs
1912 Max Juggles for Love
1912 Max Sets the Fashion
1912 Max Takes Back His Freedom
1912 Max Wants to Grow
1912 Max amoureux de la teinturière
1912 Max and His Dog Dick
1912 Max and the Donkey
1912 Max and the Statue
1912 Max émule de Tartarin
1912 Max, Tango Teacher
1912 Max: Boxer By Love
1912 The Romance of Max
1912 The Water-Funker
1912 The Wedding Trunk
1912 Un pari original
1913 An Unexpected Marriage
1913 Le billet doux
1913 Le duel de Max
1913 Max Hates Cats
1913 Max Linder Does All the Sports
1913 Max Linder's Appointment
1913 Max Toreador
1913 Max as a Musician
1913 Max's Hat
1913 Max: Jockey for Love
1914 Max Sets the Style
1914 Max Speaks English
1914 Max Wishes He Hadn't
1914 Max and the Jealous Husband
1914 Max and the Lady Doctor
1914 Max as a Chiropodist
1914 Max asthmatique
1914 Max's Latest Hobby
1914 Max's Vacation
1914 The Forced Marriage
1915 Chance and Love
1915 Hairdresser of Love
1915 Max in Monaco
1917 Max Comes Across
1917 Max Wants a Divorce
1917 Max and the Purse
1917 Max devrait porter des bretelles
1917 Max in a Taxi
1917 Max the Heartbreaker
1917 Max, médecin malgré lui
1921 Be My Wife
1921 Seven Years Bad Luck
1922 The Three Must-Get-Theres
Screenplay:
1906 Attempted Suicide
1908 Troubles of a Grass Widower
1909 Love's Surprises
1909 The Gentleman Thief
1910 I Want a Baby
1910 Le serment d'un prince
1910 Max Embarrassed
1910 Max Gets Stuck Up
1910 Max est distrait
1910 Max's First Job
1910 The Adventures of Tartarin the Younger
1911 Champion de boxe
1911 Comment Max fait le tour du monde
1911 Max Is Convalescent
1911 Max Takes Tonics
1911 Max Takes a Bath
1911 Max a un duel
1911 Max and His Mother-in-Law
1911 Max and Jane Want to Do Theater
1911 Max se marie
1912 A Farmhouse Romance
1912 An Agitated Night
1912 Cordial Agreement
1912 Jalousie
1912 Long-Lasting Love
1912 Max Fears the Dogs
1912 Max Juggles for Love
1912 Max Sets the Fashion
1912 Max Takes Back His Freedom
1912 Max Wants to Grow
1912 Max amoureux de la teinturière
1912 Max and His Dog Dick
1912 Max and the Donkey
1912 Max and the Statue
1912 Max émule de Tartarin
1912 Max, Tango Teacher
1912 Max: Boxer By Love
1912 The Romance of Max
1912 The Water-Funker
1912 The Wedding Trunk
1912 Un pari original
1913 An Unexpected Marriage
1913 Le billet doux
1913 Le duel de Max
1913 Max Hates Cats
1913 Max Linder Does All the Sports
1913 Max Linder's Appointment
1913 Max Toreador
1913 Max as a Musician
1913 Max's Hat
1913 Max: Jockey for Love
1914 Max Sets the Style
1914 Max Speaks English
1914 Max Wishes He Hadn't
1914 Max and the Jealous Husband
1914 Max and the Lady Doctor
1914 Max as a Chiropodist
1914 Max asthmatique
1914 Max's Latest Hobby
1914 Max's Vacation
1914 The Forced Marriage
1915 Chance and Love
1915 Hairdresser of Love
1915 Max in Monaco
1917 Max Comes Across
1917 Max Wants a Divorce
1917 Max and the Purse
1917 Max devrait porter des bretelles
1917 Max in a Taxi
1917 Max the Heartbreaker
1917 Max, médecin malgré lui
1921 Be My Wife
1921 Seven Years Bad Luck
1922 The Three Must-Get-Theres
Story:
1906 Attempted Suicide
1908 Troubles of a Grass Widower
1909 Love's Surprises
1909 The Gentleman Thief
1910 I Want a Baby
1910 Le serment d'un prince
1910 Max Embarrassed
1910 Max Gets Stuck Up
1910 Max est distrait
1910 Max's First Job
1910 The Adventures of Tartarin the Younger
1911 Champion de boxe
1911 Comment Max fait le tour du monde
1911 Max Is Convalescent
1911 Max Takes Tonics
1911 Max Takes a Bath
1911 Max a un duel
1911 Max and His Mother-in-Law
1911 Max and Jane Want to Do Theater
1911 Max se marie
1912 A Farmhouse Romance
1912 An Agitated Night
1912 Cordial Agreement
1912 Jalousie
1912 Long-Lasting Love
1912 Max Fears the Dogs
1912 Max Juggles for Love
1912 Max Sets the Fashion
1912 Max Takes Back His Freedom
1912 Max Wants to Grow
1912 Max amoureux de la teinturière
1912 Max and His Dog Dick
1912 Max and the Donkey
1912 Max and the Statue
1912 Max émule de Tartarin
1912 Max, Tango Teacher
1912 Max: Boxer By Love
1912 The Romance of Max
1912 The Water-Funker
1912 The Wedding Trunk
1912 Un pari original
1913 An Unexpected Marriage
1913 Le billet doux
1913 Le duel de Max
1913 Max Hates Cats
1913 Max Linder Does All the Sports
1913 Max Linder's Appointment
1913 Max Toreador
1913 Max as a Musician
1913 Max's Hat
1913 Max: Jockey for Love
1914 Max Sets the Style
1914 Max Speaks English
1914 Max Wishes He Hadn't
1914 Max and the Jealous Husband
1914 Max and the Lady Doctor
1914 Max as a Chiropodist
1914 Max asthmatique
1914 Max's Latest Hobby
1914 Max's Vacation
1914 The Forced Marriage
1915 Chance and Love
1915 Hairdresser of Love
1915 Max in Monaco
1917 Max Comes Across
1917 Max Wants a Divorce
1917 Max and the Purse
1917 Max devrait porter des bretelles
1917 Max in a Taxi
1917 Max the Heartbreaker
1917 Max, médecin malgré lui
1921 Be My Wife
1921 Seven Years Bad Luck
1922 The Three Must-Get-Theres
1923 Par habitude
Writer:
1906 Attempted Suicide
1908 Troubles of a Grass Widower
1909 Love's Surprises
1909 The Gentleman Thief
1910 I Want a Baby
1910 Le serment d'un prince
1910 Max Embarrassed
1910 Max Gets Stuck Up
1910 Max est distrait
1910 Max manque un riche mariage
1910 Max's First Job
1910 The Adventures of Tartarin the Younger
1910 The Effects of Pills
1911 Champion de boxe
1911 Comment Max fait le tour du monde
1911 Max Is Convalescent
1911 Max Takes Tonics
1911 Max Takes a Bath
1911 Max a un duel
1911 Max and His Mother-in-Law
1911 Max and Jane Want to Do Theater
1911 Max se marie
1911 Une ruse de mari
1912 A Farmhouse Romance
1912 An Agitated Night
1912 Cordial Agreement
1912 Jalousie
1912 Long-Lasting Love
1912 Max Fears the Dogs
1912 Max Juggles for Love
1912 Max Sets the Fashion
1912 Max Takes Back His Freedom
1912 Max Wants to Grow
1912 Max amoureux de la teinturière
1912 Max and His Dog Dick
1912 Max and the Donkey
1912 Max and the Statue
1912 Max émule de Tartarin
1912 Max, Tango Teacher
1912 Max: Boxer By Love
1912 The Romance of Max
1912 The Water-Funker
1912 The Wedding Trunk
1912 Un pari original
1913 An Unexpected Marriage
1913 Le billet doux
1913 Le duel de Max
1913 Max Hates Cats
1913 Max Linder Does All the Sports
1913 Max Linder's Appointment
1913 Max Toreador
1913 Max as a Musician
1913 Max's Hat
1913 Max: Jockey for Love
1914 Max Sets the Style
1914 Max Speaks English
1914 Max Wishes He Hadn't
1914 Max and the Jealous Husband
1914 Max and the Lady Doctor
1914 Max as a Chiropodist
1914 Max asthmatique
1914 Max's Latest Hobby
1914 Max's Vacation
1914 The Forced Marriage
1915 Chance and Love
1915 Hairdresser of Love
1915 Max in Monaco
1917 Max Comes Across
1917 Max Wants a Divorce
1917 Max and the Purse
1917 Max devrait porter des bretelles
1917 Max in a Taxi
1917 Max the Heartbreaker
1917 Max, médecin malgré lui
1919 Le Petit Café
1921 Be My Wife
1921 Seven Years Bad Luck
1922 The Three Must-Get-Theres
1923 Par habitude
1924 Au secours !
1924 King of the Circus
1927 Maxim's Porter
1963 Laugh with Max Linder
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