Fantômas

He made a appearance in every popular media form possible and has spawned over 100 years. To his dossier we can count 43 novels (32 by the duo and 11 by Allain alone), 13 films (5 being silent), 1 1980’s serie, 5 plays (2 being illegal), 7 comics/strips (5 french, 1 us, 1 mexican) and has various appearances/mentions/tributes/parodies/rip offs in forreign franchises such as: Us the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (Fantom), Marvel (Fantomex), Disney (Fantomius), The Venture bros (phantom of the limb), Grahan Wilson Novel’s (Spectrobert),1920 serial (Fantômas); Czechoslovakia Arabela (Fantômas); Uk Pink Panther (Phantom), Doctor Who (Fantômas), Fantomville’s (Fantômas); Italy Astorina’s, Comic Fix and Editoriale Corno’s (Diabolik, Killing and Kriminal & Satanik). His adaptations are not all true to the novels-and are for the most humoristic(The Films)-but the 1937 satiral (Monsieur Fantômas) is said to be a wonder that inspired a genre, the 1910’s silent ones were directed by the prolific Louis Feuillade, the 1960’s triology featured the controversed Louis de Funès while having gadgets that inspired some of James Bond gadgets and his 1966-1981 Comic run made him popular in Latin America.

Adaptations

1910’s Silent Films

Louis Feuillade Era

René Navarre as Fantômas (Gurn, Tom and other aliases)

1-Fantômas I- À l’ombre de la guillotine

Release Date:May 09, 1913

Act 1:The theft at the royal Palace Hotel

Act 2:The dissapearance of Lord

Act 3:By the guillotine

2-Fantômas II:Juve Contre Fantômas

Release Date:September 12, 1913

Act 1:Disaster on the Simplon-Express

Act 2:At the crocodile

Act 3:The haunted villa

Act 4:The Man in Black

3-Fantômas III:Le mort Qui Tue

Release Date:November 28, 1913

Act 1:The tragedy in rue Novins

Act 2:Fandor Investigation

Act 3:The princess necklace

Act 4:The banker Nanteul

Act 5:Elizabeth Dollon

Act 6:The human skin gloves

4- Fantômas IV: Fantômas Contre Fantômas

Release Date:March 13, 1914

Act 1:Fantômas and Public opinion

Act 2:The wall that bleeds

Act 3:Fantômas Vs Fantômas

Act 4:Getting even

5-Fantômas V: Le Faux Magistrat

Release Date:May 08, 1914

Act 1:The theft at the château des loges

Act 2:The prisoner of Louvain

Act 3:Charles Pradier, examing magistrate

Act 4:The burglar judge

Act 5:The extradited man

1920’s Illegal and Unofficial Serial

This serial, when presented in France, was translated to ”Les Exploits de Diabolos” (The Exploits of Diabolos) in order to attract french audience and for legal reasons.This serial is considered lost.

1930’s revival

Paul Fejos Era

After nearly two decades of abscence, Fantômas makes a come back to the big screen. This 1932 film feature Jean Galland as Fantômas (Étienne Rambert).

Ernst Moerman Era

This version of Fantômas is clearly not canon. A short film (17 minutes) with Monsieur Fantômas and the humor of a belgian. Jean Michel is Fantômas

1940’s

Jean Sacha Era

In this 1946 French crime film Marcel Herrand portrays Fantômas (a criminal without any mercy).

Robert Vernay Era

Maurice Teynac is Fantômas in this 1948 adaptation.

1960’s

André Hunebelle Era

The last Fantômas to date, this trilogy is both humoristic and serious. Arabela Fantômas is based on this version. Gadgets featured in this films have been the inspiration for some of James Bond gadgets.

2010’s Reboot?

Christophe Gans Era

This film have been in the making for a very long time, it was rumored to be cancelled when Vince Cassel quitted the adventure. Going by cinechronicles statement, this film has a budget of 50 millions and is part of a bigger picture hero universe with Fantômas being a anti-hero.