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- Création : 24 mars 2015
- Mis à jour : 9 juin 2023
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Charles Rider NOBLE
(Roydon, 1854-Londres, 1914)
Jean-Claude SEGUIN
2
Richard G. Noble est un agriculteur installé à Roydon dans l'Essex comme le signale le recensement de 1851. Après son mariage avec Mary Ann Panton, il semble que la famille soit restée dans le même secteur si l'on remarque le recensement de 1861 et les lieux de naissance des enfants, à Roydon ou à Cheshunt. Après 1864, la famille va s'installer à Islington (Londres) où Richard Noble figure comme agriculteur retraité (recensement 1871), son épouse (1872) et lui-même (1874) disparaissent peu après. Charles R. Noble a alors vingt ans et on perd sa trace jusqu'à son mariage avec Phobe Prior, qui est la belle-soeur de l'homme de théâtre Charles W. Garthorne
Vaudeville Theatre, "Our Boys", Charles Warlhouse Grimston "Garthorne" (assis à droite), 1878
Source: National Portrait Gallery
On peut penser que ces liens familiaux sont à l'origine de l'intérêt de Charles Rider Noble - parfois orthographié "Ryder" - pour la scène. Il va d'ailleurs, apparaître bientôt dans la presse comme le "business manager" de la compagnie de C. W. Garthorne, nom de scène de Charles Warlhouse Grimston.
The Era, Londres, samedi 2 mai 1885, p. 6.
En 1887, il reprend l'Opera House de Northampton et le restaure complètement:
The Northampton Opera House was opened on May 5th, 1884, the total cost of the building, decorations. fittings, etc., being upwards of £12,000. The original proprietor was Mr. John Campbell Franklin. Three years later, on February 12, 1887, the Opera House was burned down, and was reopened on May 2 of the same year. Succeeding Mr. J. C. Franklin as proprietor was Mr. T. P. Dorman, with Mr. Charles Rider Noble, as manager. Prior to assuming tho managerial reins' at the Opera House; Mr. Noble was the business manager of the Roselle-Dacre company. The tragic end of the principals of this company in Australia wilt be remembered. In September, 1899, Mr. E. Lockwood succeeded Mr. Noble as manager, and later relinquished the office to Mr. J. T. Hay Hill.
The Stage, jeudi 5 février 1925, p. 16.
Il déploie alors une intense activité et propose des innovations scéniques :
Mr. C. Rider Noble is about to patent a new invention in theatrical scenery. By means of mechanism which he is now perfecting scenery can be worked on the revolving panoramic principle. Wings will be abolished, and there will be ingenious means of exit and entrance. It is expected that this device will be of great utility to touring companies.
The whole of the scenery for the Christmas pantomime will be worked on this new scheme.
Mr. Noble's patent footlight and limelight apparatus is being adopted in one of the Manchester theatres. It works perfectly, and produces fine effects. THE CHIEL.
Northampton Chronicle and Echo, mardi 8 octobre 1889, p. 3.
Alors qu'il réside à Northampton (recensement 1891), il va intégrer (17 mars) la loge maçonnique "Eleanor Cross Lodge" et peu après, il entame une procédure de divorce qui se clôt le 01/02/1894. . À peine quelques mois plus tard, on le retrouve dans l'équipe de direction du Brixton Theater, une nouvelle salle qui s'ouvre à Londres. En 1897, il est toujours franc-maçon et participe à une réunion de la Eccentric Lodge (nº 2488). Il occupe la responsabilité de "managing director" du Brixton jusqu'à son remplacement en août 1899. Quelques semaines plus tard (septembe) son ex-épouse décède.
Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, samedi 12 mai 1894, p. 9.
Il réside alors dans la capitale britannique où il est inscrit comme électeur en 1900 à l'adresse Stradella Road nº 5. Dès lors, Charles Rider Noble va décider de rompre avec sa vie antérieure et de parcourir le monde avec un cinématographe.
Le Cinématographe (1900-1907)
L'Afrique du Sud et la guerre des Boers (septembre 1900-janvier 1901)
La guerre des Boers est un événement majeur du tournant du siècle et nombreux sont les cinématographistes (W.K.L. Dickson, Joseph Rosenthal...) qui vont se rendre sur le terrain pour tourner des actualités (reportages) afin d'alimenter les salles et les baraques foraines. Au nombre des nombreux cinématographistes et photographes qui vont couvrir les événements, on compte Charles Rider Noble qui est alors en cheville avec Walter Gibbons, l'inventeur des "bio-tableaux" et "phono-bio- tableaux" qui est en train de se faire un nom parmi les éditeurs de films :
I have Three Photographers now in South Africa, my principal, C. R. Noble, being with Lord Roberts in Durban.
The Showman, Londres, 1er décembre 1900, p. 4.
Selon cette annonce, trois photographers partent pour l'Afrique du Sud afin de collecter des prises de vues pour Walter Gibbons. Toutefois, le seul dont le nom nous est connu est Charles Rider Noble qui, contrairement aux autres opérateurs opérant au sud du continent africain, ne part que tardivement, le 8 septembre 1900 à bord du Norman, pour un séjour d'environ quatre mois au cours desquels il va couvrir la guerre des Boers. Au cours de cette période, il va donc filmer un certain nombre de vues animées qui figurent au répertoire de la maison Gibbons dont celles des funérailles du Prince Christian Victor:
The London Hippodrome.— Mr. Walter Gibbons, who invented the bio-tableaux at the Hippodrome, recently obtained from his operator at Pretoria a long film showing the funeral of Prince Christian Victor, and almost immediately afterwards he received a letter from Sir Arthur Bigge asking, on behalf of the Queen, that the picture should not be shown in public. Mr. Gibbons, of course, complied, and wishes it to known that should there appear any print, taken possibly same other photographer, he is not any way responsible for the exhibit.
Morning Post, Londres, vendredi 4 janvier 1901, p. 3.
Cet article laisserait entendre que Walter Gibbons ne disposerait, de fait, que d'un seul opérateur à Pretoria.
The Showman, Londres, samedi 5 janvier 1901, p. 26.
C'est vers la mi-janvier que la presse évoque le récent retour de Charles Noble en Grande-Bretagne :
Ex-manager Charles Rider-Noble has just returned from the front. He is wonderfully well and strong, and full of anecdote, after all his adventures out there with "Bobs," "Kitchener, and Co.
The Referee, dimanche 13 janvier 1901, p. 3.
Cette première expérience va l'encourager à mener désormais une vie de globe-trotter et de chasseur d'images animées.
Les Funérailles de la reine Victoria (2 février 1901)
Alors que Charles Rider Noble est de retour d'Afrique du Sud, le décès de la reine Victoria et les funérailles qui s'ensuivent donnent à Walter Gibbons une occasion unique de reproduire les obsèques de la défunte monarque. Qui de Gibbons ou de Noble est l'auteur de ces vues ? Rien de sûr, même si l'on peut penser que c'est plutôt ce dernier qui est à la manoeuvre:
I have secured the Finest Positions for taking Pictures of our LATE LAMENTED QUEEN'S FUNERAL.
I have increased my Staff of Operators, who will work from the time the Negative arrives at my Works until Monday Morning without a stop.
The Era, Londres, samedi 2 février 1901, p. 27.
The Showman, Londres, 15 février 1901, p. 4.
De la même manière, on peut s'interroger sur l'auteur de la vue animée Open Parliament in State (14 février 1901) qui est présentée, en particulier, à Glasgow. En tout état de cause, il semble bien que le rôle de Charles Rider Noble ait été essentiel jusqu'en juillet 1901, si l'on en croit une petite annonce que publie Walter Gibbons et qui laisse à penser que le départ de Noble l'oblige à trouver quelqu'un pour le remplacer :
WANTED, Good Cinematograph Photographers; must be First-class.-Apply to WALTER GIBBON'S, 60, Chandos St., Strand, W.C.
The Stage, Londres, mardi 29 août 1901, p. 22.
Le Maroc (juillet 1901-décembre 1902/avril 1903-< septembre 1903)
Charles Rider Noble reprend ses voyages et décide de se rendre au Maroc où on va le retrouver au service du Sultan. Il semble que ce nouveau séjour trouve son origine dans les bons rapports qu'entretient Walter Gibbons avec ce dernier comme en témoigne l'article ci-après qui évoque l'envoi d'un Royal Randvoll particulièrement luxueux à Mulai Abd al Aziz IV (1878-1943):
One of the most superb cinematographs we have seen is the Royal Randvoll, which has been specially designed by Mr. Walter Gibbons for the Sultan of Morocco. Everything is of the best and the whole instrument presents a most striking appearance. The brass work has been most carefully lacquered, and all the rollers and handles are made of ivory, which makes a striking contrast to the remainder of the machine. The stand is an exquisite piece of carpentry. It is made of solid oak, highly polished, and has a cupboard front. Inside the cupboard are drawers for the films, which are provided with a false bottom of galvanised zinc, under which a layer of camphor can be placed. It is brass bound, which materially adds to the beauty of its appearance. The containing case is made in the same style as the stand and is provided with trays. Besides the above, the order includes a large selection of films and a complete electric light installation, finished in the same high-class manner. Altogether Mr. Gibbons is to be complimented on the superb apparatus which has been designed.
The Showman, Londres, vendredi 12 avril 1901, p. 4.
Ainsi le départ de Charles Rider Noble semble bien motivé par ces circonstances et sur place il va se mettre au service du Sultan. Il quitte Londres le 27 juin 1901, à bord de l'Orotava et accoste à Mazagan, au Maroc. Il figure alors comme photographe. Au cours de son séjour, il va photographier et cinématographier le protectorat.
Photo. C. Rider Noble. "Above the White Houses and a Dingy Street in Mazagan" (1901-1903)
Source: A. MacCallum Scott, "Morocco", People of All Nations, ed. Hammerton, (c. 1920)
Le Sultan marocain est un féru de technologie et il fait du cinématographe un véritable instrument de pouvoir:
Instruction by Cinematograph.
The Sultan cannot go to Europe, but by means of the cinematograph he has brought as much of Europe possible to Morocco. He has by this means become acquainted with most of the sights of London, Paris, and New York, and, being himself a photographer, he knows that these moving pictures can in no detail misrepresent the reality. He has an intense desire to travel, which, when his Government is better organised, it is sincerely to be hoped he will able to do. It is pictures of reviews of European troops that have led him to reorganise his army.
Sheffield Evening Telegraph, Sheffield, samedi 28 décembre 1901, p. 4.
Mulai Abd al Aziz IV (1878-1943)
Outre de très nombreuses vue photographiques qui seront publiées dans la presse, il impressionne un nombreux non négligeable de vues animées qui sont mises en vente par la Warwick Trading Company dès le mois de janvier 1902, à son retour en Angleterre.
The Era, Londres, 10 janvier 1902, p. 32.
Il offre des interviews à la presse et évoque quelques faits marquants dont l'assassinat de Mr. Cooper :
MR. RIDER NOBLE AND MOROCCO.
His Impressions of the Sultan.
Mr. C. Rider Noble, at one time manager of the Northampton Opera House, has just arrived in England from Morocco, where for 18 months part he has been one of the little hand of Europeans whom the youthful Sultan has gathered toned him for the purpose of receiving instruction of the life of the countries they represent. Mr. Noble, who is on three months' holiday. has been talking interestingly to a London correspondent. Asked for his opinion of the rising is Morocco, Mr. Noble said that meet of the reports concerning it published it the English papers—with which, he mentioned, the Sultan was in very close touch- were ludicrously inaccurate. The Sultan's deep sympathies with all things European, and especially English, and his obvious wish to introduce into Morocco the methods of a higher civilisation, actuated only by the desire to make his country more prosperous and his subjects happier, continues to arouse a very strong feeling against him, said Mr. Noble. The conservative Moore look open all attempts at reform in spirit of antagonists. The Sultan would dearly like to visit England, and would do so were it not for the fear of a general rising. "If he left the country then would almost certainly be a flare at once." Englishmen, Mr. Noble added, were looked upon with distrust by the Moors, and hated by many, and he expressed the opinion that it would be unsafe for may Englishman to travel more than a few miles from the well-known commercial ports of Tangier, Larache, Rabat, Casablanca, Mazagan and Mogedor, or to visit Morocco city without a strong escort. During his stay in the country. although in the service of the Sultan, he had been "held up" three times. On one occasion, happening to ride out of sight of his party, he was surrounded, and nearly lost his life. Referring to the assassination of Mr. Cooper, at Fez, Mr. Noble mentioned the rumour that Mr. Cooper was killed for going into one of the mosques. "Poor Cooper didn't go inside a mosque at all. He had invited me to take tea with him that day, and at the moment he was assassinated, shot in the abdomen with a gun leaded with old nails and ether rubbish—my friend was buying a carpet. I was to have met him at his home an hour or two later." Mr. Note added that the Sultan was warned by the man himself that he intended murder. The Moor told his Majesty the same day that he should kill all the Christians in Fez. The Sultan replied. "You must not say that to me." "But I do say it," answered the man, and he then went into the streets. The first Christian he met was poor Cooper, and he immediately assassinated him. In further conversation, Mr. Noble said the Sultan, with whom he was in daily contact, was of a very amiable disposition, and was making rapid progress in his knowledge of European ways.
Northampton Chronicle and Echo, Northampton, mardi 30 décembre 1902, p. 4.
The Music Hall annonce que la diffusion des vues est assurée par The Warwick Trading Company dont le directeur est encore pour peu de temps Charles Urban :
A DEEPLY interesting series of animated pictures, descriptive of native life and customs in far-off Morocco, have been launched upon the entertainment world by the Warwick Trading Company. They deal principally. with Fez, Morocco City, and Rabat, and the Sultan himself, with his Court officials, figure in several of them. Great native ceremonies are also depicted, and one particularly excellent film shows the Sultan's army on the march to quell the uprising of the tribes. The photographs were obtained by Mr. C. R. Noble, who was attached to the Sultan's Court for a period of two years.
Music Hall and Theatre Review, Londres, mardi 9 janvier 1903, p. 25.
Il semble également que Charles Rider Noble ait présenté ici ou là ses vues fixes et cinématographiques comme cela est le cas à Cuckfield (janvier 1903). Comme il l'avait annoncé dans la presse, il est revenu en Angleterre pour un séjour de trois mois :
THE MOROCCAN SITUATION
Mr. Rider Noble, one of the few Europeans attached to the Morrish Court, has arrived in London from Fez on a three month's holiday.
Civil & Military Gazette, Lahore, dimanche 1er février 1903, p. 6.
Cela se confirme puisque, dès le début du mois d'avril, Charles R. Noble repart pour le Maroc, à bord du Zweena, où il accoste à Larache. Il figure alors comme "Lanternist". Ce second séjour est, en revanche, d'une moindre durée et sand doute est-il de retour dès le mois de septembre.
La Bulgarie et la Macédoine (octobre-novembre 1903)
Sous domination turque, la Macédoine tente de faire sécession (août 1903), mais la rebellion est violemment réprimée par les Turcs. Lorsque Charles Rider Noble part pour la Bulgarie et la Macédoine, Charles Urban a déjà quitté The Warwick Trading Company et vient de fonder sa propre société The Charles Urban Trading Co.
Charles Urban y envoie Charles R. Noble en [septembre] qui tourner une série de vues sur le conflit et sur les insurgés. Le tournage s'effectue à peu près entre la mi-octobre et la mi-novembre 1903.
Photo. C. Rider Noble. The Threshold of the factory is spread with the fragant contents of the rose-gatherer's baskets (1903).
Source: H. Charles Woods, "Bulgaria", People of All Nations, ed. Hammerton, (c. 1920).
Une partie des films est déjà réalisée puisque des projections sont programmées en Grande-Bretagne. The Era offre une description assez complète de ces premieres séances :
THE ALHAMBRA
One of the great advantages of the Bioscope is that it "opens the minds" of the people, brings before them actualities and truths, and emphasises the importance of nations and movements which are often forgotten when other interests appeal to the public. What with the fiscal question and the threatened war in the East, the yearnings of the Bulgarians for freedom are apt to be overlooked, but the splendid series of films which have been taken by Mr. C. Rider Noble, and were shown by the Imperial Bioscope at the Alhambra on Monday, recalls to us the fact that the Bulgarians are determined to exact reform, if necessary, at the point of the bayonet. Rarely has the strain on the relations between Turkey and Bulgaria been brought before our eyes as plainly as by the film showing the sentries of the two nations marching on either side of the boundary line on the frontier, and Turkish oppression is powerfully and properly exposed by the spectacle of the hundreds of wretched refugees at Rylo Monastery, the mothers with their babies in their arms, in rags, and all evidently half starved and exhausted. It is impossible not to sympathise with the efforts of the insurgent bands who have taken up arms to throw off the yoke of Turkish tyranny; and Mr. Rider Noble is seen in the centre of one of these guerilla gatherings. He kisses the flag, and in the ceremony of initiation into the "brotherhood" which follows, the leaders of the insurgents kiss him. As illustrating the lighter and brighter side of Bulgarian life, the film devoted to the national dance of the country is excellent. The peasant girls, in their pretty costumes, join hands in a ring, and go through some quaint movements. How much civilisation, at least upon the surface, exists in Bulgaria, is brought home to us by the views depicting the opening of the national parliament, and the stalwart troops and their bluff, genial officers evidently constitute a force which may be destined to create important results in the history of Europe. The methods of the insurgents are explained in detail by the films which represent the guerillas advancing over streams and through woods, and engaging in a hot skirmish with the enemy. Very picturesque is the descent of a mounted party of inspection down a rugged mountain path. Altogether these Bulgaria views are a most important contribution to contemporary enlightenment, besides being vivdly and intensely interesting in themselves.
The Era, Londres, samedi 9 january 1904, p. 23.
C'est désormais au nom de la nouvelle société de Charles Urban que ces vues sont prises:
On Monday there will be shown at the Alhambra a remarkable series of bioscope pictures of Macedonia and Bulgaria. The films, which measure 1,600ft., were taken by Mr. C. Ryder Noble, who, acting on behalf of the Urban Trading Company, attached himself to the followers of Tvantcho Quevgueliisky, the famous insurgent leader, with whose band he saw and photographically recorded many picturesque and stirring incidents of the insurgent movement. As scenes of guerilla warfare the series, we are told, is unique. There will be several other new "turns".
The People, Londres dimanche 3 janvier 1904, p. 4.
Lors de ces présentations, on ignore pourtant où se trouvve Charles Rider Noble
L'Amérique du Sud (1905)
En provenance de Southampton, Charles Ride Noble, à bord du Clyde, arrive à Buenos Aires le 4 février 1905.
Charles Ryder Noble, who has managed the brilliantly successful Urbanora Exhibition at Olympia, Newcastle, had a complimentary benefit there the other night. Many popular artistes present in the town assisted.Music Hall and Theatre Review, Londres, vendredi 26 janvier 1906, p. 10.
Il repart de Buenos Aires à bord du Clyde et accoste à Southampton le 23 juillet 1905
AN EASTER ENTERTAINMENT.
With Eastertide come attractions. A perusal of our advertising columns will reveal the fact that Mr. Charles Rider Noble will pay visit to the Town Hall in Easter week. He will stay for two nights only—Easter Monday and Tuesday. On the first night Mr. Noble, who is a much-travelled man, will relate his experiences of the Court of Morocco, to which he was attached for three years, and was in daily attendance on the Sultan. Photographs and moving pictures of the city and other Moroccan towns should provide a sight seldom seen in Northampton. On the second night Mr. Noble will describe a visit to South America, depicting incidents on Royal Mail Picket Clyde,” from Southampton to Buenos Ayres, the Paris of South America; up the River Uruguay to Fray Bentos; life on “Rancho” (Cattle Farm); a visit to Paraguay (amongst the orange industry); a trip of 1,800 miles on the Parana River, to the Falls of Iguazu, and a glimpse of the beautiful Misiones Ruins.Northampton Mercury, Northampton, vendredi 6 avril 1906, p. 8.
TOWN HALL, NORTHAMPTON.
RASTER MONDAY AND TUESDAY,
APRIL 10th and 17th
MR. CHARLES RIDER NOBLE
WILL VISIT NORTHAMPTON, AND TALK ON
HIS TRAVELS AND EXPERIENCES.
FULLY ILLUSTRATED WITH LANTERN AND MOVING PICTURES, at 7.45
EASTER MONDAY NIGHT He will present.-
MOROCCO: ITS COURT CUSTOMS AND
PEOPLE, THE LAND OF THE SETTING SUN.
Mr. Charles Rider Noble being attached for a period of three years to the Court of Morocoo, and in daily attesdance on the Sultan, was able to obtain meny Photographs, which will be shown, and which could not be obtained in any other way.
During the Talk on Morocco. 160 Scenes will be shown, and many Moving Pictures, descrptive of Morocco City, Moquines, Rabat, Fez, and the Life of Court.
TUESDAY. APRIL 17th, at 7.45, will be presented:
A VOYAGE TO SOUTH AMERICA.
During last year Mr. Charles Rider Noble Travelled through South America,and many Interesting Pictures will be shown, including and depicting incidents on Royal Mail Packet "Clyde," from Southampton to Buenos Ayres, the Paris of South America.
Up the River Uruguay to Fray Bentos.
Life on a "Rancho "(Cattle Farm).
A Visit to Paraguay (amongst the Orange Industry).
A Trip of 1,800 Miles on the Parana River, to the Falls of Iguazu, and a glimpse of the Beautiful Missiones Ruins.
Reserved Seats, 3s.; Unreserved, 2., and 1s.; Admission, 6d. Tirkets and Plan nowready at Abel and Sons, Ltd., 9, Parade. and 163, M. Kettering road. Doors Open, 7.15: Commence, 7.45. Early Doors, 6.45, 6d. extra. Carriages, 10.15.Northampton Chronicle and Echo, Northampton, mardi 10 avril 1906, p. 4.
Le Maroc cinématographié
M. C. Rider Noble faisait la semaine dernière une conférence au Blenheim Club sur le Maroc, sa cour, son peuple, et ses coutumes, conférence illustrée par 130 vues-projections et plusieurs tableaux animés. M. Martin Duneau prédisait la conférence de M. Noble, qui, revenant du Maroc où il avait fait un séjour de trois années, avait pu prendre des vues d'un très grand intérêt et s'était lié d'amitié avec le Sultan et ses Ministres. Ainsi put-il prendre de nombreux clichés qu'il n'est pas donné aux profanes de voir.
Une vue animée très intéressante est celle représentant le Sultan assis entre Lord Loch et Lord Castletow, et tenant leurs mains dans les siennes. Ce film avait été pris bien avant la conférence d'Algésiras. M. Noble montra encore plusieurs vues des environs de la Capitale du Maroc et des portraits du Sultan et de sa suite: des scènes de la rue, un régiment en marche, une Revue passée par S. M. Chérifienne, etc.
L'instrument qui servit à la présentation de ces tableaux est un nouvel appareil permettant l'arrêt et la mise en marche au gré du conférencier.Phono-ciné-gazette, 2e année, nº 28, Paris, 15 mai 1906, p. 193.
Le Mexique (1907)
Bibliographie
BOTTOMORE Stephen, "From Theatre Manager to Globetrotting Cameraman: The Strange Career of Charles Rider Noble (1854-1914)
MACCALLUM SCOTT A. , "Morocco", People of All Nations, ed. Hammerton, (c. 1920).
