- Détails
- Création : 24 mars 2015
- Mis à jour : 16 juillet 2026
- Publication : 24 mars 2015
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Émile Louis LAUSTE
(Paris, 1880-Hove, 1946)
Jean-Claude SEGUIN
2
Les origines (1880-1895)
Fils du pionnier du cinématographe sonore Eugène Lauste et de la musicienne Marie Germain, Émile Lauste, né à Paris, en septembre 1880, perd sa mère à peine deux mois plus tard en novembre. En 1881, Eugène, Emile et la grand-mère Louise Maillet résident à Nogent-sur-Marne. En 1885, son père se remarie avec Georgette Chabrol. La famille part aux États-Unis à la fin de l'année 1886 ou au début de 1887. Eugène travaille alors pour Edison et Emile se souvient de cette époque :
I recollect when a school boy being taken to Llewelwyn Park, at Christmas time, to attend the party given by Mr Edison to some of his employees and their children. The trees in front of the house were illuminated by multi-coloured electric lamps. These were arranged and fixed by my father. This would be about 1891. Somehow or other, I was occasionally admitted inside the laboratory with my Dad. I can still visualise the electric car chassis that was being built or improved. It ran on tracks from inside the shop to an outside platform - on to a turntable and then down to the ground level by a gentle slope, where it went towards the Phonograph Works.
LAUSTE Emile, Reminiscences,
Après avoir été à l'école à Newark, Emile Lauste va faire plusieurs petits boulots dont certains le rapprochent du monde naissant du cinématographe :
After having left school in Newark, N.J., at the age of 14, tinkered like most boys in a few jobs, such as errand boy to learn the process of delivery, etc. - Plumber's boy to get an insight of that work - after which I worked as a shop boy where my father was constructing one of the earliest moving picture projecting machines - which was called the EIDOLOSCOPE. This machine later figured in a lawsuit in America to prove that it was the first which had film loops - prior to and after passing the gate. This essential is used to this day in all projectors - it was known as the LATHAM LOOP Patent case. Here really was my first contact with the Motion Picture then known as Kinetography. As before mentioned, being the Boy, I revolved the large solid drum in the dark room on which film was wound far developing, fixing and washing - the film later being transferred to a similar sized drum - but of wood - to dry.
LAUSTE Emile, Reminiscences,
La Biograph (1896-[1898])
Après un bref apprentissage chez J. B. Colt & Co, à New York, Emile Lauste rejoint l'American Mutoscope and Biograph Syndicate, dès 1897, où il va se familiariser avec les activités liées au cinématographe. C'est alors que W. K. L. Dickson le prend sous son aile :
After this I really made progress - because I was taken by Mr W.K.L. Dickson as his boy assistant, loading the camera magazines - threading - connecting up the motor, batteries etc.
LAUSTE Emile, Reminiscences,
Il s'initie alors au fonctionnement du Mutograph y du Biograph et assiste à plusieurs tournages. Le développement des activités de l'American Mutoscope and Biograph Syndicate l'amène à partir pour l'Europe en 1897 :
Time went by - then all was excitement - the first Biograph to go abroad was being packed for London - as it was to open up as a special attraction at the Palace Theatre. This was in 1897. Shortly afterwards my father who also had joined the Company was sent to France to start a Studio and Laboratory at Courbevoie - as well as to open up with a Biograph at the Casino de Paris. In due course he sent for me - my brother and sister. The laboratory not being completed, there was nothing for me to do, so I went to London, where a syndicate had been formed, several of the American staff having already made a start by taking pictures of the late Queen Victoria's Jubilee. I reached Southampton and entrained for London...
LAUSTE Emile, Reminiscences,
Au cours de l'année 1898, Emile Lauste accompagne W. K. L. Dickson dans un voyage en Europe dont le but est de nourrir le catalogue de la Biograph en vues animées. Leur voyage sur le continent va les conduire en Italie, en France et aux Pays-Bas. Si l'on imagine que Dickson est le cinématographiste de l'essentiel des vues animées prises au cours de ce long séjour, il est possible qu'Émile Lauste ait pu le seconder comme dans le cas de Feeding Pigeons at St. Mark's Square, Venice où l'on aperçoit W. K. L. Dickson.
Feeding Pigeons at St. Mark's Square, Venice ([juin] 1898)
Le séjour des deux hommes en terre italienne a déjà commencé lorsque Émile Lauste fait parvenir un courrier à son père Eugène, en date du 2 juin 1898, avec l'en-tête "Hotel Marini, Rue Tritone, Rome".
Au cours de ces semaines italiennes, les deux hommes multiplient les prises de vue dont Famous Procession of the Corpus Domini à Orvieto le 9 ou le 12 juin 1898 et une série de vue du pape Léon XIII impressionnée le 22 juin :
LÉON XIII ET LE CINÉMATOGRAPHE
Rome 23 juin.- Le Pape, comme pour démentir les bruits qui couraient sur l'état de sa santé, a passé hier la journée dans les jardins du Vatican. Pour la première fois, Sa Sainteté a daigné poser devant un objectif cinématographique. Léon XIII a été ainsi photographié au moment où il montait en voiture découverte pour faire sa promenade à travers les grandes allées du jardin, en compagnie du camérier secret de service. La voiture pontificale était précédée et suivie de quatre gardes nobles en grand uniforme, sous les ordres du comte Pecci, neveu de Sa Sainteté. Le Pape a encore été photographié au moment où, descendu de voiture, il commence à faire sa promenade, entouré de plusieurs personnages de sa Cour, près du Villino qui lui sert de résidence pendant les grandes chaleurs.-FÉLIX II.
Le Figaro, Paris, vendredi 24 juin 1898, p. 2
La presse italienne évoque la présence de Dickson au Vatican :
Il fotografo americano Guglielmo Kennedy Laurie Dickson mediante il cinematografo, nel giardini Vaticani, siprodusse il Santo Padre mentre faceva la passeggiata in carrozza scortato dalle quattro guardie nobili. Il Papa ricevette poi il fotografo e volle essere informato delle riproduzioni.
Il Popolo Romano, Rome, vendredi 24 juin 1898, p. 2.
Emile Lauste, qui est en réalité son second, n'est pas évoqué dans la presse, mais Il Popolo Romano parle à nouveau de W. K. L. Dickson à l'occasion d'une ascension en ballon au cours de laquelle il va prendre des vues animées :
Fotografia in pallone.- Il signor Kennedy, rappresentante in Roma della Società del Mutoscopio ci scrive che, approfittando delle esercitazioni del parco aereostatico militare, e della cortesia del colonnello Bossi, egli ha potuto fare una ascensione in pallone da Castel Sant'Angelo fino all'altezza di 40 metri ed è riuscito così ad ottenere 5000 fotografie animate che, prese in vari punti, illustrano in un modo nuovo e meraviglioso Roma, e specialmente il corso del Tevere, San Pietro e Castel Sant'Angelo.
Il Popolo Romano, Rome, jeudi 21 juillet 1898, p. 3.
Le séjour se prolonge ainsi, au moins, jusqu'à vers la fin du mois de juillet.
Invenzioni e Scoperte
Abbiamo di recente annunziato che il sig. W. Kennedy Dickson uno dei pionieri della fotografia vivente, membro rappresentante del Sindacato per il Mutoscopio di Londra a New-York, aveva eseguita nei giardini del Vaticano la fotografia di S.S. Leone XIII e della sua Corte col nuovo congegno.
Il mutoscopio, che può dirsi un perfezionamento del cinematografo, e l'ultimo prodotto della fotografia animata, è uno strumento semplice, che può essere veduto a volontà col girare una manovella, la quale sostiene un pacco di 1000 et più fotografie, disposte in senso radiale sopra un fusto.
Questre fotografie, tenute indietro da una lancetta metallica, si lasciano scorrere man mano, diguisachè si presentano chiare e sensa oscillazioni e danno così una vera e naturale espressione di vitalità.
L'intero apparecchio è contenuto in un astuccio o scatola non più grande dello stereoscopio ordinario.
Questa nuova macchinetta, destinata ad una grande diffusione sarà costruita economicamente, su base semplice, in guisa da poter essere venduta ad un prezzo modesto.Il Popolo Romano, Roma, samedi 16 juillet 1898, p. 2.
Ils se sont également rendus dans le Nord (Milan, Turin...) et le Sud (Naples, Sorrento...) du pays ainsi qu'à Vérone et à Florence parmi d'autres comme l'évoque Emile Lauste dans ses souvenirs :
[…] the year was taken up by photographing various views in France, Holland, England and Italy. The principal object of our visit to the latter country was to obtain moving pictures of His Holiness Pope Leo XIII in the Vatican and Gardens. While the arrangements which took some time to complete were under way, we were able to photograph many historical subjects of universal interest as well as National customs, etc. in and around these cities: Bordighera, Capri, Castelmare, Florence, Gressony, Genoa, Milan, Naples, Orvieto, Pompeii, Rome, Sorrento, Salerno, Turin, Venice, Verona, Vesuvius, Ventimiglia. The most interesting views obtained were naturally of H.H. Pope Leo. We got nine different views - in the Loggia leading to the Sistine Chapel - Riding in his carriage in the Vatican grounds, etc., etc. - the Swiss Guards in their quaint uniforms and a host of other views of St Peters from different angles...
LAUSTE Emile, Reminiscences,
Leur séjour les conduit ensuite en France, puis aux Pays-Bas à l'occasion du mariage.
https://www.newspapers.com/image/171171153/?match=1&terms=%22procession%20of%20armenian%20monks%22
From 1902 to 1904 he [E. Gray] was manager of the Britannia Pier, Great Yarmouth, where he employed Emile Lauste to operate an American Biograph machine (one of those half-forgotten mechanisms which showed aprocketless, over-size film).Kinematograph Weekly, 11 septembre 1941, p. 32.
va être élevé aux États-Unis :
MEN BEHIND THE CAMERA
VI. Emile Louis Lauste is a Parisian by birth, but was educated in the U.S A. He was apprenticed to magic lantern and arc lamp work at J. B. Colt and Company, in New York, and joined American Mutoscope and Biograph Syndicate in New York in 1896, and travelled in 22 countries.
The Motion Picture Studio, 17 septembre 1921, p. 10
1900: matricule militaire.
ANDREW'S HALL.-This hall is now open with a Trades Exhibition, interspersed with novelties of a varied description, prominent amongst which is Holden's Fantoches, the American Biograph, under the supervision of M. Emile Lauste.The Era, Londres, samedi 29 juin 1901, p. 7.
La société JB Colt produit des lampes et produits à acétylène qui est active dès 1891.
Had been with Gaumont as topical and studio cameraman till the war, when he joined the French Army and won the Croix de Guerre in 1918. He has been chief cameraman to Welsh-Pearson for some time, responsible for the photography in “Garrv owen,” “The Old Curiosity Shop,” “Mary Find-The-Gola” and “Squibs.” He is an enthusiastic laboratory worker.The Motion Picture Studio, 17 septembre 1921, p. 10
WHAT IS AN OPERATOR?
SIR,—I note in your January issue a letter roughly passing a personal opinion on operators, but I also desire to call attention to the fact that, although there are a number of dud operators, there are many valuable men employed by concerns who could easily help to improve those alluded to. I would, however, first educate the showmen who require what they falsely term ‘‘ expert operators.” When a trained man applies for a position he either gets no reply or such absurd offers of salary that his modesty prevents him joining, and he thus gives way to a dud—a dangerous person both to employer and public. I here append what I think is really an expert operator ;— A man who can photograph, develop, print, and project, with an exceptional experience of electricity and oxy-hydrogen work, and able to repair or make his own machines.— Yours, etc., EMILE LOUIS LAUSTE, 8, Benedict Road, Brixton, S.W.The Optical Magic Lantern Journal and Photographic Enlager, vol 2, février 1906, p. 81.
Et après... (1907-1946)
KINEMATOGRAPHER
E.L. LAUSTE, at Liberty Shortly.
Write for Date and Particulars
8 BENEDICT ROAD, STOCKWELL, s.w.Kinematograph Weekly, jeudi 5 septembre 1907, p. 10.
SAILING BY MEGANTIC
List of cabin passengers per R.M.S. Megantic, sailing from Montreal and Quebec today for Liverpool: [...] E. L. Lauste.The Gazette Montreal, samedi 13 novembre 1909, p. 16.
"We hear a lot nowadays," he remarked, "of topicals being produced in record time, but I doubt if some of the achievements of the old Biograph operators have ever been beaten, even in connection with the filming of the Grand National, where every effort is made to save even a few minutes. I remember going to Aintree with Mr. J. Haddow and Mr. E. L. Lauste for the company one year. We filmed the race, developed in the train on the way home, and had prints at the Empire, Coliseum, and Lyceum by 11 o'clock the same night. Remembering various disadvantages under which the Biograph man laboured as compared with the modern operator, I think this was a piece of work which will take some beating.
When the Biograph Company closed down in 1898, Mr. McDowell after a spell of operating at the Palace, joined the Warwick Trading Company, and, with the exception of a spell of 12 monts with the Walturdaw Company while the latter were providing the Palace program, has been engaged in the W.T.C. interest up to the present time, his service at Charing Cross Road covering a period which witnessed some of the most remarkable "exclusives" obtained by the indefatigable Will G. Barker and his assistants.Kinematograph Weekly, jeudi 3 février 1910, p. 31.
Il publie des articles sur la photographie dans Kinematograph Weekly : Kinematograph Weekly, Londres, samedi 15 septembre 1906, p. 13. (https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003235/19060915/052/0013)
MR. E. L. LAUSTE, who photographed the Urganda series of the Warwick Trading Co.'s "Cape to Cairo" films, has joined "Hale's Tours," and we understand is now abroad taking films for that concern.
Kinematograph Weekly, Londres, jeudi 16 mai 1907, p. 11.
AT LIBERTY-E. L. Lauste, as kinephotographer, developer toner and printer; speaks French, English and German; extensive experience in the United Kingdom, Europe and the States; reasonable salary, and first-class workmanship.-110 Holland Road, Brixton, London, S.W.The Bioscope, jeudi 27 mai 1909, p. 48.
Mr. R. W. Paul has lost Lauste.
Messrs. W. Butcher and Sons, of Camera House, have added yet another to their bioscope film staff in the person of Mr. E. L. Lauste, late of R. W. Paul.The Bioscope, jeudi 17 juin 1909, p. 7.
Mr. E. L. Lauste,
late of Mr. R. W. Paul's staff, has joined the kinematograph staff of Messrs. W. Butcher & Sons, at their film works at Lee, S. E.Kinematograph Weekly, Londres, jeudi 17 juin 1909, p. 15.
"A World-Wide Tour"
The Bioscope, 16 février 1911, p. 15.
The Bioscope, nº 316, vol. XVII, jeudi 31 octobre 1912, p. 374.
Messrs. W. Butcher and Sons, Ltd., are re-organising their film works at Lee, and will shortly be in a position to turn out several thousand feet weekly. The latest apparatus is being installed, the works renovated, and when the alterations are complete, this up-to-date firm intend to make a speciality of trade printing, topicals and locals in addition to their regular output of the "Empire" series. Mr. E. L. Lauste is the technical expert and Messrs. Butcher have secured the services of Mr. David Barnett, who will control this branch of their film business. Managers who appreciate the value of locals and those who require trade printing should get into communication with Messrs. Butcher and Sons, Ltd. at Camera House.Kinematograph Weekly, jeudi 9 octobre 1913, p. 2553.
1921: recensement Londres
After producing a number of films for Samuelson, Pearson received an offer from Gaumont to take over the post of chief director in the new Shepherd’s Bush Studios. His cameraman was Emil Lauste, son of the inventor of the sound film. Here a character named Ultus was evolved and ran for a series of films.Kinematograph Weekly, 31 mai 1951, p. 29.
Mr. E. L. Lauste, lately chief photographer at the Gaumont Studios, London, and now serving with the French Army, would be glad to hear from his old friends in the Trade. His address is: 110E Regiment Lt. Infanterie, 30E Compagnie, Caserne Chanzy Bergerac (Dordogne), France.The Bioscope, jeudi 4 janvier 1917, p. 15.
Emile Louis Lauste (1917)
En 1921, il faut partie de l'équipe de la Welsh Pearson Company en tant que cameraman:
1921: Squibs
"Squibs"
The romance of a London flower-girl-Charming comedy of humble life perfectly and brilliantly acted.
[...]
The photography by Emile Lauste is of perfect quality and gives additional value to many well-known London scenes, and will enhance the popularity of a very delightfull entertainment in every part of the world.The Bioscope, jeudi 15 septembre 1921, p. 60.
Squibs Wins the Calcutta Sweep (George Pearson, 1922)
Article sur son père et ses brevets.
Kinematograph Weekly, 11 janvier 1923, p. 45.
"LAUSTE LEAVES"
Emile Lauste, for many years camera and laboratoy expert
A Cameraman from China
I was glad to welcome Emile Lauste, the well-known camera and laboratory expert, who arrived last week after three years' absence in the East. Mr. Lauste, who has been over thirty years in the industry on both sides of the Atlantic (he took the first modern gauge film in 1903, of Edna May), was Welsh-Pearson's cameraman on "Nothing Else Matters," and subsequent Betty Balfour subjects. He has been constantly at work in Shanghai of late, having photographed the Chinese "Willow Pattern Plate" feature recently presented by Gaumont.Kinematograph Weekly, jeudi 28 avril 1927, p. 22.
1939: recensement Kent.
En 1939, il réside avec son épouse à Beckenham (recensement 1939)
ADVENTUROUS CAREER AS CAMERAMAN
An Appreciation of Emile Lauste
THE death of Emile Louis Lauste. briefly reported in last week's KINE, severs a link with the kinematograph Industry of more than ordinary importance. Following the family tradition, Emile Lauste, at the turn of the century, joined the American Biograph Company, where his interest was in the camera and the laboratory. He was one of the few who have handled the original "Biograph" camera, with its large film and its inbuilt perforator. Later he made a world tour with his kinematograph camera, during which he photographed some of the earliest travel pictures.
DURING his war service (1914/18) in France he was awarded the Croix de Guerre for bravery in the field. He was later captured during the heavy fighting around Verdun and held a prisoner by the Germans. until the war ended in 1918. Returning to England, he joined Welsh-Pearson as technical director at their Craven Park Studios, where his work did much to raise the prestige of the British film. Later he journeyed to Shanghai, where he technically directed a number of Chinese stories. Early in 1927, Emile Lauste joined the Motion Picture Film department of Kodak, Ltd., as technical adviser, retiring at the end of last year.
Emile, a prominent member of the Cinema Veterans, will be remembered by all who were privileged to know him as one of the kindest of men, and his passing will be mourned by many.
JAMES BENSON.
Kinematograph Weekly, Londres, jeudi 31 octobre 1946, p. 41.
Emile Lauste
The death took place on Monday at Hove of Emil Lauste, Kodak's representative controlling British film studios in this country until laste January.
Mr. Lauste, who was only 66 years of age, was a son of Eugene Lauste, one of Edison's laboratory workers in New Jersey. Eugene Lauste can be cited as a pioneer in sound-on-film recording.Kinematograph Weekly, jeudi 24 octobre 1946, p. 42.
The death occurred at Hove on Monday, of Mr. Emile Louis Lauste, aged 66, of 61. Ravenswood-avenue. The funeral takes place to-day at West Wickham Parish Church.Bromley & West Kent Mercury, vendredi 25 octobre 1946, p. 4.
Sources
"A Cameraman Man in France", The Bioscope, jeudi 30 août 1917, p. 935.
"A World-Wide Tour", The Bioscope, 16 février 1911, p. 15.
ANDERS DIESEN Jan & Neil FULTON, "Wellman's 1906 polar expedition: the subject of numerous newspaper stories and one obscure film", Polar Research, vol. 26, nº 1, mars 2007, p. 76-85
LAUSTE Émile, "Reminiscences of Emile Louis Lauste (Croix de Guerre)" dans Franck Gray, "Emile Lauste's Reminiscences", Griffithiana, nº 66-70, 1999/2000.