The Strange Adventure of Doctor Works [Robert Saidreau - Chapter 8]

To read the previous chapter of this essay on the work of director Robert Saidreau, click here.

A Partnership in Horror

The film is sometimes featured in newspapers as The Strange Adventure of Doctor Worke, or "Work"
This is an adaptation of a horror drama of the grand guignol genre, "La porte close" (The Closed Door) by Robert Francheville for Les Grandes Productions Cinématographiques, the French distribution company.
On April 8, 1921, Ciné Pour Tous announced: "A new French firm has just been formed: the Société d'Entreprises Cinématographiques, which is subdivided into two branches: the JH Productions, which will have Jean Hervé, from the Comédie Française as its director , and Ignis-Film, directed by Robert Saidreau, who has just completed his first film: The Strange Adventure of Doctor Work, played by Jean Hervé, Marthe Ferrari [in fact Marthe Ferrare], and Maria Russlana. The general manager is Henri Poulner; the artistic director, Jean Hervé."
It seems that this Henri Poulner would be the director of the magazine Le Théâtre Français, but above all, a man about to make the headlines in 1935 in connection with the Stavisky case. A considerable scandal in France.
The presentation of the film was announced on October 18, 1921 by Comœdia with the main cast.

Jean Hervé

The plot

A doctor abandons his wife on the operating table for a creature with which he flees to St Moritz and goes mad with remorse after seeing her ghost, who prevents the bedroom door (the one from the title of the novel) from opening.

Marthe Ferrare & Jean Hervé

Bad critics

Lucien Whal in Cinéa does not appreciate the film, which he considers disjointed: "black drama in several ways" on November 4, 1921, but from December 2, date of the release, although still negative, the criticism, this time of Lionel Landry wants to be more constructive, and he finds excuses for the film's flaws ("The Phantom Carriage made us demanding in terms of appearances!"). In fact, the name of Saidreau is mentioned this time so he is perhaps cautious not to offend someone who now is identified. In particular, he suggests what should have been done ("this is where it should have started").
In any case, Miss Rousslana is clearly identified as playing the role of the ghost wife, which suggests that it is Marthe Ferrare who plays the role of the lover.
On December 5, 1921, new negative criticism in the Excelsior about the story: "I would be very surprised if it was to the public's taste. (...) A somewhat heavy drama which produces an impression of embarrassment rather than 'horror. "
Only La revue moderne des arts et de la vie recognized on November 15 that "the photo was good and the interpretation quite lively" and Le petit Journal of December 2 reported "successful snow scenes".

Which director?

It is interesting to note that, when Marthe Ferrare (first prize of the Opéra comique, and at the time of the filming, at the gaité lyrique) made the cover of Cinémagazine on January 4, 1924, she states during her interview that her first film is a filmed song by Lordier. "Then came The strange adventure of Doctor Work directed by Jean Hervé, of the Comédie-Française." A strange affirmation from one of the film's main actresses. We can doubt that his memory has already deteriorated to this point barely 4 years after the shooting. Was the film therefore directed by Jean Hervé and signed by Saidreau? Insofar as he was in charge at the time, one can indeed imagine at least one collaboration. Is it more simply a way for the actress to give a little prestige to a failure? Perhaps one must find the key to the mystery later in the interview: "I am classified, on the screen, as a young dramatic actress. A director, to whom I hold a grudge, even told me I was lugubrious." If we consider that at the time of the interview and except for the current project, she only shot 2 short films with 3 directors including a single failure, it is easy to guess who she is talking about.
In any case, she tells us that "This last film was not very lucky." which is hardly surprising given the bad reviews.
However, The Film notes that "her debut will not fail to be noticed" in March 1921, although it speaks then of Marthe Ferrari and The Strange Adventure of Doctor Worke. The article also tells us that Mlles Colon (who will be found later in Sans Famille) and Fabiole (who collaborated several times with Saidreau at the start of a long career) are also part of the cast.

There are releases of the film until May 1, 1922 in Bordeaux (at the Pathé theater).

To read the next chapter on the work of director Robert Saidreau, click here.

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That's all for today folks! See you soon !