Max Linder: Father of Film Comedy

by Snorre Smári Mathiesen

French comedian, actor, director, screenwriter, and producer Max Linder (1883-1925) appeared in hundreds of films, and he was as important a silent movie figure as Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, Buster Keaton, or Harold Lloyd. He predated all of them with his screen debut in 1905, and he became a worldwide favorite, thanks to his top-hatted dandy character, "Max." By 1912, he was the highest-paid film star in the world. Follow his astounding path from anonymous bit-player onstage to his greatest triumphs. The fine line between comedy and tragedy blended into shades of gray, when Max's fame nearly extinguished due to World War One war injuries, but he recovered, returned, and regained his status only to face one of the most terrible tragedies in human existence that shocked the entire world. His hilarious films and heartrending personal tale unfold fully in this richly researched and annotated biography and filmography. Illustrated with dozens of personal and professional photographs.