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1899: Zecca Enters the Arena
Thirty-five year old Corsican café concert performer Ferdinand Zecca found himself a new line of employment in 1899 when he was hired on a short term basis by Charles Pathé. Zecca was playing cornet at the Foire au Pain d'epices in a musical piece entitled le Muet Mélomaine (The Mute Music Lover) with the comedian Charlus. Pathé initially employed Zecca, who had a wonderful speaking voice, to perform songs and monologues for the Phonograph branch of the business operated by Emile Pathé. However, a gentleman named Dufayel, who was owner of the Grands Magasins Dufayel, requested Pathé to make a film of Zecca's and Charlus's burlesque act. The film was made at Pathé's Vincennes studio and directed by cameraman Maurice Caussade, with synchronised sound provided by a phonograph. From such modest beginnings, Zecca would soon establish himself as one of the major names in early French cinema. [ADD]
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