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1883

Dec. 16^th 1883

Born Gabriel Maximillian Leuvielle in Saint-Loubès, near Bordeaux (France). Although common practice around 1900 as well to choose a stage name, his contemporaries apparently weren't aware that Max did so too. The magazine FILMA in 1920 asked its readers: "Did you know that our «Max national» in real life is called Leuvielle?"

1902

1902

Attends the Conservatoire Muncipal de Bordeaux. One of his teachers is Adrien Caillard, who in 1904 joins the Théâtre de l'Ambigu and later also helps Linder to find a job at the same theatre.

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July 7^th 1903

Graduates at the Conservatory in Bordeaux by winning first price in the category „Comedy“ and second price in „Drama“.

Engagement at the THEATRE DES ARTS in Bordeaux.  Plays include: "Le Barbier de Séville", "Les Précieuses ridicules", "Les Fourberies de Scapin".

1903

1904

In 1904 Linder moves from Bordeaux to Paris.

Autumn 1904

Under his real name «Leuvielle» he applies for the Conservatoire National de Musique et de Déclamation in Paris. (René Jeanne, Max Linder et le théâtre) He is being rejected.

Oct. 20^th 1904

First première at the THEATRE DE L'AMBIGU in: Le Tour du Monde d'un enfant de Paris. According to René Jeanne he has to replace an actor at such short notice, that he hardly has had time to study the role of a captain.

Dec. 3^rd 1904

Première of Le crime d'Aix. The name «Max Linder» appears on the bill for the first time, if only on the 15. rank of the male cast.

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April 15^th 1905

The magazine LE THEATRE publishes a picture of Max in the role of «Caulaincourt» in La belle marsaillaise for the first time.

June 15^th 1905

In La fleuriste des Halles two dream sequences are being shown by projecting films (René Jeanne, Max Linder et le théâtre). It might have given Max the inspiration for the so-called «film-sketch», in which he later will appear in throughout Europe.

Aug. 5^th 1905

His first film is being released. Its title: Première Sortie, meaning “First night out”, could also be translated as «first release».

Autumn 1905

Under the name «Max Linder» he unsuccessfully applies again for the Paris Conservatory.

1905

1906

Autumn 1906

For the third and last time he (again under his real name «Leuvielle») files his application for the Conservatory in Paris. He fails to be admitted once more.

Nov. 2^nd 1906

First première at his new workplace, the THEATRE DES VARIETES, is Miquette et sa mère.

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Nov. 15^th 1907

At the PATHÉ GROLÉE in Lyon the film    Le mari de la doctoresse appears on the bill. After a production photo from the film was rediscovered, the title role could be attributed to Max Linder.

Dec. 1907

In the costume of «Polichinelle» he appears at a Christmas party at the CIRQUE D'HIVER. (Richard Abel, The Ciné goes to town.)

Production photo from "Le mari de la doctoresse" (Source: "Pathé Films" - Suppl.1, 1908)

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1907

1908

April 24^th 1908

Première of Le Roi at the Théâtre des Variétés. The play becomes the biggest success of the 1907/08 Paris theater season. Apart from his rather small  role as «William Touret» he is to be the replacement for Max Dearly (Pierre Philippe in "Le temps de Max"). Hoping to be able to step in for him one day, he doesn’t renew his contract with Pathé.

July 14^th 1908

A film-sketch is being shown at the Cirque d’Hiver. In his "Chronique du cinéma" (1992) Jacques Legrand identifies the actor as Max Linder.

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June 18^th 1909

After 350 performances, the 3^rd season of Le Roi begins without Max, because by now he has given up hope of ever achieving anything at the theatre. He signs a new contract with Pathé which grants him «a very high salary» (New York Dramatic Mirror, July 30^th 1910).

July 1909  

First films under his new contract are being released in Austria. Beginning in early September his name appears both on the film print and in advertisements of every one of his films.

1909

1910

July 30^th 1910

In an article for the CINE JOURNAL Georges Fagot gives the number of films in which Max Linder appeared in as «plus de cent» (more than hundred). Adding the 117 films, in which he will appear in from now on, his whole “œuvre” can be estimated at approximately 220 films.

Oct. 20^th 1910

In the revue Vive Paris! he performs a film-sketch at the Olympia in Paris. Special posters with Max Linder are printed on which he asks: "M'as-tu vu, à l'Olympia?" (/"Did you see me at Olympia?").

Nov. 8^th 1910

He is being admitted to hospital and operated on the same evening due to appendicitis. Complications follow and cause a delay in his recovery of up to six month.

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July 28^th 1911

The first film after his recovery Voisin, Voisine, has it’s initial release in the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy.

Ad.: [Attention! Attention" Big Hit! MAX LINDER is acting again for the first time in "Voisin, Voisine"] "Erste Internationale Film-Zeitung", Aug. 12th 1911

1911

1912

Ad., "Oesterreicher Komet", Aug. 10th 1912

Max Linder in the bullring (1912) (Source: "El mundo cinematográfico", Oct. 10th 1912 [Collection: Bundesarchiv/Filmarchiv, Berlin])

Poster announcing his performances at the "Ronacher" in Vienna (Collection: Wiener Stadt- und Landesbibliothek)

Max Linder on stage at the "Wintergarten" in Berlin (1912) (Source: "Berliner Illustrirte Zeitung", Dec. 29th 1912)

March 24^th 1912

Appears at the afternoon and evening show at the Cirque d'Hiver in a new sketch, written by himself.

April 5^th 1912

LE CINEMA writes, that he has been engaged for a three month tour through Europe, which is to bring him the «modest» sum of 60.000 Francs.

June 6^th 1912

After a «boxing match on roller-skates» with his partner Georges Vinter (aka: Nick Winter), he performs a sketch at the Brasserie Cinéma Rochechouart.

June 9^th 1912

At the cycle racing track at the "Parc de Princes", immediately after the finish of a 100 km race he does some filming dressed as a jockey, presumably for Jockey par amour [1913].

July 1912           

Signs a 3-year-contract for one million francs. To come up with the money Pathé finds it necessary to raise the cost of his films. In Germany they become 20% more expensive. Up to now his annual income was estimated to be 100.000 francs (Der deutsche Lichtbildtheater-Besitzer, March 30^th 1911).

Sept. 20^th 1912

Stage act with Stacia Napierkowska in Barcelona, Spain. Before the Sketch Pédicure par amour, the film Mariage au téléphone is being shown for the first time. The Sketch is based on a film from 1908 with the same title and written and directed by Charles Decroix. This time Linder and his friend Armand Massard, columnist at La Presse, are both credited as authors.

Sept. 25^th 1912

At the El Tibidabo in Barcelona a banquet is being given in his honour.

Sept. 28^th 1912

Before an audience of more than 10.000 spectators he appears as bull-fighter in a Barcelona arena. The sequences filmed on this occasion are to be incorporated into Max toréador [1913].

Oct. 8^th 1912

On the second night of his five-day engagement at the Gran Teatro in Madrid he falls onto the stage. After a similar accident at the Alhambra the following year, again while descending on a rope, he probably decides not to take that risk any longer. While in Russia in late 1913 a newspaper correspondent discovers him backstage, while someone else is climbing down the rope. (St. Petersburger Zeitung, Dec. 17^th 1913 [russ. Cal., Dec. 4^th 1913]).

Oct. 15^th 1912

Max and his partners, Stacia Napierkowska, Jacques Vandenne and Delson arrive in Lisbon, Portugal.

Oct. 19^th 1912

Performs at the Theatro da Republica in Lisbon for four days. Here the film Entente cordiale [1912] is part of the act.

Nov. 15^th 1912

15-day stay at the Ronacher in Vienna with his partners Leonora and Vandenne. A few days later he is seen making a film in front of that theatre.

Nov. 19^th 1912

Accompanied by his sketch-partners he attends a cinema performance of L’enlèvement en hydroaéroplane [1912] in a Viennese  Cinema.         

Dec. 2^nd 1912

A guest performance at the Wintergarten in Berlin, scheduled to last two weeks, has to be prolonged by another two weeks, due to his great success. A few days after his arrival he attends the shooting of a Pathé picture in a Berlin suburb together with the German actor Albert Paulig. (Berliner Börsen Courrier, Dec. 12^th 1912). For what picture is not known.

Dec. 7^th 1912

Two German film companies are said to have offered Max a contract to lure him away from Pathé Frères. According to the "Berliner Tageblatt" they are willing to pay him 1.5 million francs for a period of three years. Whether this story is based on facts or what became of it, is not known.

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27th Feb. 1913

THE BIOSCOPE writes that arrangements of a tour through Russia are completed. Since it took almost nine month for Linder to actually get there, some historians have speculated that there were two tours to the East. Apart from the note in THE BIOSCOPE no more evidence of a venture to Russia in early 1913 could be found though.

July 6^th 1913

Max rents the Olympia in Paris for five weeks. Under the slogan "Max tue un taureau" (/"Max kills a bull") Max toréador is shown for the first time in France. The other Linder-film screened is Max en vacances. This «Max Linder season» doesn’t include a personal appearance by Max.

July 22^nd 1913

Attends the regatta at Le Havre with his yacht Film.

July 25^th 1913

The longest comedy picture yet, Le duel de Max is being shown simultaneously at the "Cines" Nollendorf-Theater in Berlin and at the Olympia in Paris.

Aug. 10^th 1913

At the end of the «Max Linder season» the film Max toréador has been shown 50 times.

Aug. 30^th 1913

At the Parisian music- hall Alhambra his newest Film-sketch C'est le tango qui est la cause de ça is being premiered. His partners are Hilda May, Georges Gorby and Pré fils. Parts of the plot were used again in the film Coiffeur par amour [1915].

Sept. 11^th 1913

The film Max on the road to matrimony is released in the UK. It contains the so-called "mirror-trick", which Linder will use again years later in Seven years bad luck [1921]. The original title of this film is not known. In 1923 a 9,5mm-version is offered, carrying the title Une bonne farce.

Oct. 10^th  1913

Max takes over the management of the Kosmorama which had been opened only the year before. It becomes the “Topical”-Cinema Pathé Journal until, after some renovation, it is being reopened on Dec. 17^th 1914 as Ciné Max Linder.

Oct. 11^th 1913

The sketch which has been seen at the Alhambra is also being shown to mark the opening of the Palais de la danse of the  Olympia the night before.

Nov. 14^th 1913

Begins a two-week engagement at the Royal-Orpheum in Budapest together with Lucette Darbelle.

Nov. 19^th 1913

At the Hotel Ritz in Budapest he is being visited at 8 a.m. by a marshal. He had cancelled a prior engagement and was ordered by a court to pay 1000 Kronen penalty, but had failed to do so.

Dec. 3^rd 1913

Arrives in St. Petersburg. His female partner in Russia is Mary Mitchell. Musical accompanist is, according to his own statement, Dimitri Tiomkin (1894-1979). Further remarks, which claim, that, after arriving by train, Linder took an aeroplane to fly to his hotel (Films in review, Nov. 51), are rather doubtful. Newspapers of the day merely wrote, that he was "warmly welcomed" (St. Petersburger Zeitung, Dec. 4^th 13 [russ. Cal., Nov. 21^st 13])

Dec. 16^th 1913

The film N'embrassez pas votre bonne is being shown before an invited audience at the Lichtspiele "Mozartsaal" in Berlin (Germany).

Dec. 20^th 1913

The second stop in Russia is Moscow.  A crowd of students carries him all the way from the station to the hotel (Yuri Tsivian in Russia 1913 Cinema, Griffithiana 1994)

Dec. 28^th 1913

The ST. PETERSBURGER ZEITUNG reports from Kiev that the second performance had to be cancelled, due to a lack of spectators, respectively to high ticket prices.

Dec. 30^th 1913

Harry Fragson, Linder’s partner in Entente Cordiale [1912], is being killed by his (83-year-old!) father.

Dec. 31^st 1913

At the Town theatre in Odessa he appears on stage for three days. Even more enthusiastic than in St. Petersburg or Moscow "he was welcomed in the streets with hurrah and virtually carried on shoulders. Because of him even the traffic jammed, which prompted the police to intervene." (St. Petersburger Zeitung, Jan. 1^st 1914 [russ. Cal., Dec. 20^th 1913])

Dec. 1913

Irène Bordoni, dressed as Max Linder, appears on stage in the two-acts play Si j'ose m'exprimer ainsi by Jean Bastia. She will be seen in the same outfit at the REVUE DE MARIGNY in the sketch Les sosies [de Max Linder] from June 11^th 1914 on. Shortly after that, look-alikes of Max Linder begin to appear in films as well. André Séchan apparently considered a career as a Max Linder-double in the film Comment il manqua son mariage.

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Poster for "Le duel de Max" by Adrien Barrère

Photograph of the "Pathé-Journal" taken in July 1914 (Source: Paris-Palaces, Jean-Jacques Meusy, 1995)

"Pester Lloyd", Nov. 14th 1913

Max in Russia (Source: Maks Linder, Sergej Jutkewitsch 1926)

 Irène Bordoni on stage at the Théâtre Doré ("Comoedia illustré", Jan. 5th 1914)

1913

1914

In front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin (Scene from "Max Professeur de Tango")

 "La Presse", March  29th 1914

Jan. 7^th 1914

Arrives in Warsaw, the last stop of his tour through Russia.

Jan. 8^th 1914  

2-days performance at the "Philharmony" in Warsaw.

Jan. 1914

The magazine «Illustrierte Kino-Woche» (Berlin) lets its readers vote their favourite actor or actress. Rank one to three are taken by actors of the drama. Max comes in fourth.

Jan. 14^th 1914

On his way back to Paris he stops in Berlin to undertake some exterior shooting for Max professeur de Tango.

March 21^st 1914

The CINE JOURNAL reports on the death of Gabrielle Lange. She participated in films such as Victime du quinquina [1911] and Amoureux de la teinturière [1912].

March 27^th 1914

The revue Elle est de..., which he wrote together with Max Aghion premieres at the Gaité Rochechouart. His partners are Made Andral, Castel and Dave Loty. According to a note in LE FILM (June 12^th 1914) the revue isn’t a big success.

June 11^th 1914

Premieres "en chair et en os" (/"in flesh and blood") at the Folies-Marigny with the sketch Député. Germaine Rysor and Fred Pascal are playing next to him. Parts of the plot were taken from Les vacances de Max [1913].

July 1914

A court in Paris rules, that Georges Lordier, owner of the "Cinemax" has to change the name of his Cinema. In preparation of his own "Ciné Max Linder" Max was afraid the name might mislead the public into thinking, the "Cinemax" had a privilege to show Linder-films.

July 14^th 1914

On the French national holiday, to which he invited, among others, Gaby Deslys and Harry Pilcer into his villa in Varenne-St. Hilaire, an accident occurs, by which he and some of his guests fall into the Seine. Nobody is being hurt though.

July 27^th 1914

Trade show at the Hotel-Monopol in Vienna, at which the film Max asthmatique is being shown. This film is the last in the series to be released  in the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy (rel.: Aug. 28^th), before the war prohibits the import of new ones.

July 31^st 1914

While Germany declares a state of war, the last Max Linder Film before the outbreak of war Max à Monaco premieres in Berlin cinemas. The Pathé staff leaves the German capitol the very same day.

Aug. 3^rd 1914

Official declaration of war between Germany and France. Max enlists voluntarily and offers his automobile to the army.

Sept. 19^th 1914

The PESTER LLOYD reports (falsely), that Max has been killed. On Oct. 3^rd Linder telephones from the front stating that he is not even sick but merely convalescent.

Dec. 17^th 1914

The Pathé Journal is being reopened as Ciné Max Linder. "Very important note. - The Ciné Max Linder will be the only institution in Paris to run the sensational new films of the «King of the screen»." (La Presse, Dec. 16^th 1914)

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May 16^th 1915

Max starts his tour of Italy in Turin. His sketch Député, in which he is accompanied again by Germaine Rysor, is being shown at the Teatro Alfieri, one of the biggest and most elegant theatre in town.

May 19^th 1915

The 3000-seat theatre Dal Verme in Milan sees Max until May 23^rd.

May 28^th 1915

On the second of his five-day stay at the Teatro Nazionale in Rome, the Italian prime minister Antonio Salandra attends the performance. Italy has declared war on the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy  five days earlier.

1915

1916

"New York Dramatic Mirror", Dec. 9th 1916

Aug. 1916

Signs a contract with Essanay, requiring him to put out 12 films in one year.

Oct. 28^th 1916

Departs for the United States.

Nov. 10^th 1916

Max arrives at the Essanay-Studios in Chicago, carrying his luggage in 46 trunks.

Dec. 1916

Shooting begins for Max comes across (Chicago).

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Feb. 6^th 1917

«Trade show» of Max comes across in Loew's New York.

March 6^th 1917

Journey to the West coast, to shoot «His First Los Angeles Made Comedy» (Ad, L.A.Times, April 29^th 1917), with the title Max in a taxi. The freezing temperatures in Chicago had caused health problems.

April 1917

Max is arrested in Los Angeles for speeding. On the day he is due to appear in court he is admitted to hospital and the case is being dropped.

May 12^th 1917

Charles Chaplin gives him a picture in which he had inscribed: «To the one and only Max — The Professor — From his Disciple —­  Charlie Chaplin — May 12^th 1917».

May 1917

Work at Essanay ends because of his illness.

Aug. 6^th 1917

Leaves Los Angeles and returns to Europe on board of the «Espana» on Aug. 11^th.

Ad., "Los Angeles Times", April 29th 1917

Photograph with dedication by Chaplin (Source: Films in Review, Jack Spears 1965)

1917

1918

April 1918

The trade paper LE FILM reports on the selling of the Ciné Max Linder to the “Omnia”-Company.

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March 14^th 1919

After having been renovated for one and a half year the re-opening of the new Ciné Max Linder takes place.

March 21^st 1919

In his sketch The bill he is again appearing on stage at the Ciné Max Linder.

Nov. 11^th 1919

Max leaves once more for America.

Nov. 15^th 1919

"Trade show" at the Ciné Max Linder where his first feature length film Le petit café is presented.

Ad., "Ciné-Journal", Nov. 1st 1919

1919

1920

Poster for "Le feu sacré"

June 15^th 1920

Begins his work on the film Seven years bad luck.

Oct. 1^st 1920

Pathé releases Le feu sacré, a re-release of the 1911-film Max et Jane veulent faire du théâtre with Jane Renouardt.

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June 7^th 1921

Be my wife is being shown privately at the Aeolian Hall in New York.

Poster for "Be my wife"

1921

1922

French Poster for "The three must-get-theres"

April 15^th 1922

His secretary Norwood Smith (25) is sentenced to probation for having forged Linder's signature on two cheques.

May 1922  

At the end of the month Linder treats some friends to view a presentation of The Three must-get-theres in his villa. They are welcomed by him being dressed as an oriental potentate and with a lion by his side in a «tableau vivant».

July 5^th 1922

Max returns aboard the Paris to France (Nice).

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April 29^th 1923

After a two weeks search Max is arrested for kidnapping. He and the 17 year old Hélène Peters had eloped to Nice. To prevent the scandal from spreading, her parents don’t insist on persecution.

July 1923 

Au secours is being filmed in twelve days.

Aug. 2^nd 1923

Marries Hélène (Ninette) Peters.

Nov. 28^th 1923

Departs for Vienna for the shooting of Clown aus Liebe. The designated director René Hervil is being replaced by Edouard Emile Violet before shooting starts.

1923

1924

English Poster for "Max, Der Zirkuskönig"

Feb. 24^th 1924

A suicide attempt by Linder and his wife is explained to the press as an accident.

April 11^th 1924

The production company Vita announces the end of shooting for Clown aus Liebe. Three weeks later the title is changed into Max, der Zirkuskönig.

June 12^th 1924

At the Scala in London a rough cut of Max, der Zirkuskönig, is being shown to an invited audience. The Variety reviewer, who attends the screening calls it “without doubt one of the best comedies ever screened.” (June 25^th 1924)

June 27^th 1924

Birth of his daughter.

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Sept. 1925

The magazine CINEA- CINE POUR TOUS organises a radio broadcast with Max Linder, Suzanne Bianchetti and J. L. Croze.

Oct. 30^th 1925

Alarmed by a failed appointment with her daughter, Linder's mother-in-law is having the door broken to his suite at the hotel Baltimore in Paris at around 10 a.m.. Max and his wife are being found unconscious. At 5 p.m. his wife dies.

Oct. 31^st 1925

Death of Linder at 0:25 a.m. In a farewell letter to his parents Linder writes: "the wife I married, thinking her an angel, in reality is a monster."

Nov. 5^th 1925

While his wife is burried on a cemetery in Paris the corps of Linder is brought to St. Loubès, his birthplace.

"Daily Express", Nov. 2nd 1925

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