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FantomasA fictional antihero of French literature and cinema
Country:
 France |
Content:
- The Birth of Fantomas
- A Gothic Villain in Modern Times
- The Master of Disguise
- A Murky Past
- The Love Triangle and the Tragic Ending
- The Films of André Hunebelle
- The Unmade Moscow Projekt
- Fantomas's Legacy
The Birth of Fantomas
In 1911, the literary world was introduced to a sinister new character: Fantomas, the master of disguise and purveyor of terror. Created by the imagination of French authors Marcel Allain and Pierre Souvestre, this fictional antihero would become one of the most popular figures in French detective literature.
Over the next few decades, Fantomas would appear in over 32 novels penned by Allain and Souvestre, as well as eleven additional stories written by Allain alone after Souvestre's death. The character's enduring appeal led to numerous film and television adaptations, as well as countless comic books.
A Gothic Villain in Modern Times
Drawing inspiration from the gothic villains of 19th-century literature, Fantomas emerged as a serial killer in the 20th century. His crimes were often sadistic and gruesome, reflecting his psychopathic nature. Unlike the "noble thief" archetype of Arsène Lupin, Fantomas reveled in his evil deeds and lacked any sense of remorse.
The Master of Disguise
Fantomas's signature characteristic was his ability to transform himself at will, often assuming the identity of those he had killed. He employed bizarre and eccentric methods to carry out his crimes, including plague-infested rats, giant snakes, and rooms that filled with sand.
A Murky Past
The origins of Fantomas remain shrouded in mystery. His parentage and birthplace are uncertain, with theories suggesting French, British, and even Indian ancestry. Fragments of his past emerge through the novels, revealing a complex and enigmatic figure.
The Love Triangle and the Tragic Ending
Fantomas's life was inextricably linked to two women: Lady Maud Beltham and Élaine. Maud was the wife of Lord Edward Beltham, whose affair with Fantomas led to Edward's murder. Élaine was Fantomas's own daughter, who later fell in love with the journalist Jérôme Fandor. Despite Fantomas's attempts to keep them apart, Fandor and Élaine married, leaving Fantomas consumed with jealousy and rage.
The Films of André Hunebelle
In the 1960s, director André Hunebelle brought Fantomas to the big screen in a trilogy of highly successful films starring Jean Marais and Louis de Funès. Hunebelle transformed the character into a comical antihero, parodying both the original fantoma siada and the James Bond craze.
The Unmade Moscow Projekt
Plans for a fourth film, "Fantomas in Moscow," were ultimately scrapped due to various factors, including Marais's reluctance to wear green makeup and rubber masks, which caused him facial discomfort.
Fantomas's Legacy
Despite the failed Moscow project, Fantomas continued to be a popular and enduring figure in popular culture. He appeared in Soviet films such as "Seven Old Men and a Girl" and "Old Robbers," and even inspired a city in Nikolai Nosov's children's novel "Dunno on the Moon."
