Alice Guy-Blaché

Alice Guy-Blaché

Directing

July 1, 1873 — March 24, 1968Saint-Mandé, Val-de-Marne, France

Alice Guy-Blaché (July 1, 1873 – March 24, 1968) is generally considered to be the world's first female director. French-born Alice Guy entered the film business as a secretary at Gaumont-Paris in 1896. The next year Gaumont changed from manufacturing cameras to producing movies, and Guy became one of its first film directors. She impressed the company so much with the output (she averaged two two-reelers a week) and quality of her productions that by 1905 she was made the company's production director, supervising the company's other directors. In 1907 she married Herbert Blaché, an Englishman who ran the company's British and German offices. The pair soon went to the U.S. to set up the company's operations there. In 1910 she set up her own production company in New York and built a studio in Fort Lee, New Jersey. After a period of critical and financial success, her company's fortunes declined and she eventually shut down the studio. Although she secured work directing films for several major Hollywood studios, she returned to France in 1922 after her divorce from Blache. She was never able to secure any directorial jobs there, and never made a film again. In 1964 she returned to the U.S. and lived in Mahwah, New Jersey - not far from where her original studios were - with her daughters, where she died in 1968.

Known for

The Cabbage-Patch Fairy

The Cabbage-Patch Fairy

1896

Falling Leaves

Falling Leaves

1912

The Consequences of Feminism

The Consequences of Feminism

1906

Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché

Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché

2018

Madame's Cravings

Madame's Cravings

1906

Matrimony's Speed Limit

Matrimony's Speed Limit

1913

The Cabbage-Patch Fairy

The Cabbage-Patch Fairy

1900

Pierrette's Escapades

Pierrette's Escapades

1900

At the Hypnotist's

At the Hypnotist's

1898

Algie, the Miner

Algie, the Miner

1912

Directing179

Fantastic Flowers

Fantastic Flowers

2025

Director

Butterfly Dances

Butterfly Dances

2007

Director

Gaumont Treasures 1897-1913

Gaumont Treasures 1897-1913

2005

Director

Tarnished Reputations

Tarnished Reputations

1920

Director

The Great Adventure

The Great Adventure

1918

Director

Behind the Mask

Behind the Mask

1917

Director

When You and I Were Young

When You and I Were Young

1917

Director

House of Cards

House of Cards

1917

Director

The Empress

The Empress

1917

Director

The Adventurer

The Adventurer

1917

Director

The Ocean Waif

The Ocean Waif

1916

Director

The Scarlet Woman

The Scarlet Woman

1916

Director

What Will People Say?

What Will People Say?

1916

Director

My Madonna

My Madonna

1915

Director

The Song of the Wage Slave

The Song of the Wage Slave

1915

Director

The Vampire

The Vampire

1915

Director

Heart of a Painted Woman

Heart of a Painted Woman

1915

Director

The Tigress

The Tigress

1914

Director

The Lure

The Lure

1914

Director

The Woman of Mystery

The Woman of Mystery

1914

Director

The Monster and the Girl

The Monster and the Girl

1914

Director

The Dream Woman

The Dream Woman

1914

Director

The Rogues of Paris

The Rogues of Paris

1913

Director

The Pit and the Pendulum

The Pit and the Pendulum

1913

Director

Matrimony's Speed Limit

Matrimony's Speed Limit

1913

Director

A House Divided

A House Divided

1913

Director

A Severe Test

A Severe Test

1913

Director

Dick Whittington and His Cat

Dick Whittington and His Cat

1913

Director

Burstup Homes' Murder Case

Burstup Homes' Murder Case

1913

Director

Officer Henderson

Officer Henderson

1913

Director

Napoleon

1913

Director

Burstup Homes

1913

Director

The Thief

The Thief

1913

Director

The Coming of Sunbeam

The Coming of Sunbeam

1913

Director

The Roads That Lead Home

The Roads That Lead Home

1913

Director

Cousins of Sherlocko

Cousins of Sherlocko

1913

Director

The Woman Behind the Man

The Woman Behind the Man

1912

Director

Hearts Unknown

1912

Director

The Girl in the Arm-Chair

The Girl in the Arm-Chair

1912

Director

The Hater of Women

The Hater of Women

1912

Director

The Face at the Window

The Face at the Window

1912

Director

A Comedy of Errors

A Comedy of Errors

1912

Director

The New Love And The Old

The New Love And The Old

1912

Director

Making an American Citizen

Making an American Citizen

1912

Director

The High Cost of Living

The High Cost of Living

1912

Director

Canned Harmony

Canned Harmony

1912

Director

The Love of the Flag

The Love of the Flag

1912

Director

Treasures on the Wing

Treasures on the Wing

1912

Director

The Fight in the Dark

The Fight in the Dark

1912

Director

Playing Trumps

Playing Trumps

1912

Director

His Double

His Double

1912

Director

Phantom Paradise

Phantom Paradise

1912

Director

The Strike

The Strike

1912

Director

Two Little Rangers

Two Little Rangers

1912

Director

Broken Oaths

Broken Oaths

1912

Director

For Love of the Flag

For Love of the Flag

1912

Director

Fra Diavolo

Fra Diavolo

1912

Director

In the Year 2000

In the Year 2000

1912

Director

Souls in the Shadow

Souls in the Shadow

1912

Director

The Wooing of Alice

The Wooing of Alice

1912

Director

The Reformation of Mary

The Reformation of Mary

1912

Director

Child of the Tenements

Child of the Tenements

1912

Director

Falling Leaves

Falling Leaves

1912

Director

Blighted Lives

1912

Director

Algie, the Miner

Algie, the Miner

1912

Director

God Disposes

1912

Director

Hubby Does the Washing

Hubby Does the Washing

1912

Director

The Detective's Dog

The Detective's Dog

1912

Director

A Terrible Lesson

A Terrible Lesson

1912

Director

Mrs. Cranston's Jewels

Mrs. Cranston's Jewels

1912

Director

Mignon

1912

Director

Frozen on Love's Trail

Frozen on Love's Trail

1912

Director

A Man's a Man

A Man's a Man

1912

Director

Parson Sue

Parson Sue

1912

Director

A Fool and His Money

A Fool and His Money

1912

Director

Someone's Luck Society

Someone's Luck Society

1912

Director

A Solax Celebration

A Solax Celebration

1912

Director

The Violin Maker of Nuremberg

The Violin Maker of Nuremberg

1911

Director

His Mother's Hymn

His Mother's Hymn

1911

Director

Outwitted by Horse and Lariat

Outwitted by Horse and Lariat

1911

Director

Starting Something

Starting Something

1911

Director

Greater Love Hath No Man

Greater Love Hath No Man

1911

Director

Cupid and the Comet

Cupid and the Comet

1911

Director

Across the Mexican Line

Across the Mexican Line

1911

Director

Tramp Strategy

Tramp Strategy

1911

Director

From the Valley of Shadows

From the Valley of Shadows

1911

Director

Mixed Pets

Mixed Pets

1911

Director

When Marian was Married

When Marian was Married

1911

Director

What Is a Flag?

What Is a Flag?

1909

Director

On the Barricade

On the Barricade

1907

Director

The Irresistible Piano

The Irresistible Piano

1907

Director

The Glue

The Glue

1907

Director

The Rolling Bed

The Rolling Bed

1907

Director

The Cleaning Man

The Cleaning Man

1907

Director

The Banknote

The Banknote

1907

Director

The Race for the Sausage

The Race for the Sausage

1907

Director

Alice Guy Films a 'Phonoscène' in the Studio at Buttes-Chaumont, Paris

Alice Guy Films a 'Phonoscène' in the Studio at Buttes-Chaumont, Paris

1907

Director

The Consequences of Feminism

The Consequences of Feminism

1906

Director

Man Monkey

Man Monkey

1906

Director

The Dirigible 'Homeland'

The Dirigible 'Homeland'

1906

Director

Dranem Performs "Five O'Clock Tea"

Dranem Performs "Five O'Clock Tea"

1906

Director

The Drunken Mattress

The Drunken Mattress

1906

Director

A Story Well Spun

A Story Well Spun

1906

Director

The Stepmother

The Stepmother

1906

Director

The Hierarchies of Love

The Hierarchies of Love

1906

Director

A Sticky Woman

A Sticky Woman

1906

Director

The Mouse in the Crinoline

The Mouse in the Crinoline

1906

Director

Madame's Cravings

Madame's Cravings

1906

Director

The Game-Keeper's Son

The Game-Keeper's Son

1906

Director

Course de taureaux

Course de taureaux

1906

Director

Mireille

1906

Director

The Birth, the Life and the Death of Christ

The Birth, the Life and the Death of Christ

1906

Director

An Obstacle Course

An Obstacle Course

1906

Director

L'Honneur du Corse

L'Honneur du Corse

1906

Director

A Priest's Conscience

A Priest's Conscience

1906

Director

Ocean Studies

Ocean Studies

1906

Director

Les Druides

1906

Director

The Sock

1905

Director

Esmeralda

Esmeralda

1905

Director

The Fairy of Spring

The Fairy of Spring

1905

Director

The Magician's Alms

The Magician's Alms

1905

Director

Tango

Tango

1905

Director

The Statue

The Statue

1905

Director

Spain

Spain

1905

Director

The Bricklayers

The Bricklayers

1905

Director

Clown, Dog and Balloon

Clown, Dog and Balloon

1905

Director

Le Cake-walk de nouveau cirque

Le Cake-walk de nouveau cirque

1905

Director

Saharet Performs the Bolero

Saharet Performs the Bolero

1905

Director

Polin Performs "The Anatomy of a Draftee"

Polin Performs "The Anatomy of a Draftee"

1905

Director

Dranem Performs The True Jiu-Jitsu

Dranem Performs The True Jiu-Jitsu

1905

Director

Félix Mayol Performs "Indiscreet Questions"

Félix Mayol Performs "Indiscreet Questions"

1905

Director

Félix Mayol Performs "The Trottins' Polka"

Félix Mayol Performs "The Trottins' Polka"

1905

Director

Félix Mayol Performs "White Lilacs"

Félix Mayol Performs "White Lilacs"

1905

Director

Faust

1905

Director

The Malagueña and the Bullfighter

The Malagueña and the Bullfighter

1905

Director

In a Bamboo Hut

In a Bamboo Hut

1905

Director

The Fairy's Farewell

The Fairy's Farewell

1905

Director

The Crime on Temple Street

The Crime on Temple Street

1904

Director

Token of Love

Token of Love

1904

Director

The First Cigarette

The First Cigarette

1904

Director

Faust and Mephistopheles

Faust and Mephistopheles

1903

Director

How Monsieur Takes His Bath

How Monsieur Takes His Bath

1903

Director

An Untimely Intrusion

An Untimely Intrusion

1902

Director

Midwife to the Upper Class

Midwife to the Upper Class

1902

Director

Les malabares: Les acrobats

Les malabares: Les acrobats

1902

Director

La Gigue

1902

Director

Danse fantaisiste

Danse fantaisiste

1902

Director

Eccentric Dance

Eccentric Dance

1902

Director

Serpentine Dance

Serpentine Dance

1902

Director

Miss Dundee and Her Performing Dogs

Miss Dundee and Her Performing Dogs

1902

Director

Danse basque

Danse basque

1901

Director

Dance of the Seasons: Winter, Snow Dance

Dance of the Seasons: Winter, Snow Dance

1900

Director

Coucher d'une Parisienne

Coucher d'une Parisienne

1900

Director

At the Photographer's

At the Photographer's

1900

Director

At the Floral Ball

At the Floral Ball

1900

Director

Avenue de l'Opéra

Avenue de l'Opéra

1900

Director

The Landlady

The Landlady

1900

Director

Turn-of-the-Century Surgery

Turn-of-the-Century Surgery

1900

Director

Pierrette's Escapades

Pierrette's Escapades

1900

Director

The Cabbage-Patch Fairy

The Cabbage-Patch Fairy

1900

Director

Danse du papillon

Danse du papillon

1900

Director

Gavotte directoire

Gavotte directoire

1900

Director

Automated Hat-Maker and Sausage-Grinder

Automated Hat-Maker and Sausage-Grinder

1900

Director

At the Club

At the Club

1899

Director

Wonderful Absinthe

Wonderful Absinthe

1899

Director

Entrée Et Sortie De La Mine

Entrée Et Sortie De La Mine

1899

Director

Surprise Attack on a House at Daybreak

Surprise Attack on a House at Daybreak

1898

Director

At the Hypnotist's

At the Hypnotist's

1898

Director

Disappearing Act

Disappearing Act

1898

Director

The Burglars

The Burglars

1898

Director

The Turn-of-the-Century Blind Man

The Turn-of-the-Century Blind Man

1898

Director

Danse Fleur de Lotus

Danse Fleur de Lotus

1897

Director

Ballet Libella

Ballet Libella

1897

Director

The Fisherman at the Stream

The Fisherman at the Stream

1897

Director

Bathing in a Stream

Bathing in a Stream

1897

Director

Serpentine Dance by Mme. Bob Walter

Serpentine Dance by Mme. Bob Walter

1897

Director

The Cabbage-Patch Fairy

The Cabbage-Patch Fairy

1896

Director

Alice Guy - 13 Courts-métrages

Alice Guy - 13 Courts-métrages

Director

Shadows of the Moulin Rouge

Shadows of the Moulin Rouge

Director

Production26

Tarnished Reputations

Tarnished Reputations

1920

Producer

The Scarlet Woman

The Scarlet Woman

1916

Producer

Barbara Frietchie

Barbara Frietchie

1915

Producer

The Vampire

The Vampire

1915

Producer

The Woman of Mystery

The Woman of Mystery

1914

Producer

The Rogues of Paris

The Rogues of Paris

1913

Producer

Matrimony's Speed Limit

Matrimony's Speed Limit

1913

Producer

A House Divided

A House Divided

1913

Producer

The Roads That Lead Home

The Roads That Lead Home

1913

Producer

Beasts of the Jungle

Beasts of the Jungle

1913

Producer

The Girl in the Arm-Chair

The Girl in the Arm-Chair

1912

Producer

A Comedy of Errors

A Comedy of Errors

1912

Producer

The New Love And The Old

The New Love And The Old

1912

Producer

Making an American Citizen

Making an American Citizen

1912

Producer

Canned Harmony

Canned Harmony

1912

Producer

Dublin Dan

Dublin Dan

1912

Producer

The Equine Spy

1912

Producer

The Reformation of Mary

The Reformation of Mary

1912

Producer

The Sewer

The Sewer

1912

Producer

Algie, the Miner

Algie, the Miner

1912

Producer

Hubby Does the Washing

Hubby Does the Washing

1912

Producer

A Fool and His Money

A Fool and His Money

1912

Producer

Greater Love Hath No Man

Greater Love Hath No Man

1911

Executive Producer

Cupid and the Comet

Cupid and the Comet

1911

Producer

Midwife to the Upper Class

Midwife to the Upper Class

1902

Producer

Shadows of the Moulin Rouge

Shadows of the Moulin Rouge

Producer

Writing21

House of Cards

House of Cards

1917

Writer

The Empress

The Empress

1917

Writer

My Madonna

My Madonna

1915

Writer

The Lure

The Lure

1914

Writer

The Woman of Mystery

The Woman of Mystery

1914

Scenario Writer

The Dream Woman

The Dream Woman

1914

Screenplay

Kelly from the Emerald Isle

Kelly from the Emerald Isle

1913

Writer

Dick Whittington and His Cat

Dick Whittington and His Cat

1913

Writer

Beasts of the Jungle

Beasts of the Jungle

1913

Writer

Making an American Citizen

Making an American Citizen

1912

Writer

Fra Diavolo

Fra Diavolo

1912

Writer

Falling Leaves

Falling Leaves

1912

Writer

Greater Love Hath No Man

Greater Love Hath No Man

1911

Writer

The Consequences of Feminism

The Consequences of Feminism

1906

Writer

Madame's Cravings

Madame's Cravings

1906

Writer

The Birth, the Life and the Death of Christ

The Birth, the Life and the Death of Christ

1906

Writer

A Priest's Conscience

A Priest's Conscience

1906

Writer

Coucher d'une Parisienne

Coucher d'une Parisienne

1900

Scenario Writer

The Cabbage-Patch Fairy

The Cabbage-Patch Fairy

1900

Writer

The Cabbage-Patch Fairy

The Cabbage-Patch Fairy

1896

Writer

Shadows of the Moulin Rouge

Shadows of the Moulin Rouge

Writer

Acting12

Alice Guy, the First Female Filmmaker

Alice Guy, the First Female Filmmaker

2021

Self - Filmmaker (archive footage)

Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché

Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché

2018

Self (archive footage)

The Women Who Run Hollywood

The Women Who Run Hollywood

2016

Self (archive footage)

The Lost Garden: The Life and Cinema of Alice Guy-Blaché

The Lost Garden: The Life and Cinema of Alice Guy-Blaché

1995

Self (archive footage)

Qui est Alice Guy?

Qui est Alice Guy?

1976

Self

Cinépanorama

Cinépanorama

1956

Self

A Solax Celebration

A Solax Celebration

1912

The Cause

Alice Guy Films a 'Phonoscène' in the Studio at Buttes-Chaumont, Paris

Alice Guy Films a 'Phonoscène' in the Studio at Buttes-Chaumont, Paris

1907

Herself, the director

Mireille

1906

Spain

Spain

1905

Self - Presenter

The Cabbage-Patch Fairy

The Cabbage-Patch Fairy

1896

Animated Portrait Shot by L and A Lumière

Animated Portrait Shot by L and A Lumière

1895

Herself

Camera1

The Cabbage-Patch Fairy

The Cabbage-Patch Fairy

1896

Director of Photography

Crew1

Imitation of Waves - Guy's Visions

Imitation of Waves - Guy's Visions

2025

Cinematography