That’s Not Musidora! A Case of Mistaken Identity Compounded by Tumblr

Perhaps it’s not unexpected that an actress who’s best remembered for playing a disguised thief suffers from a case of mistaken identity on the internet. In the silent film Les Vampires, Musidora plays Irma Vep, who dons a catsuit for convenience in movement as she commits her crimes. This may be the first cinematic catsuit, and it was followed by many in popular culture. It definitely was the first to have an erotic impact on the public. In a compliment of reverse chronology, Musidora has been called the Brigitte Bardot of her day. Musidora’s catsuit helped whip that fever of appreciation up. Particularly striking are the shots of her navigating the rooftops of Paris. Was she a dream or nightmare about to descend into a home? This most iconic image of her inspired a tribute photography shoot, and thanks to the lack of verification and attribution of images on the net, sites ranging from Tumblr to serious movie blogs to even an academic page accidentally have perpetuated a case of mistaken identity.

One image from this photo shoot appears repeatedly on the net, credited as Musidora:

Lys Reygor as Irma Vep Rooftop

As soon as I saw it, I knew this photo was not of Musidora. The model’s bone structure is wrong. The make-up is much too intentionally gothic. While Musidora wore make-up in her Les Vampires performance, her make-up looks naturalistic in comparison to this person in whiteface. The black brows are drawn on and do not match the more organic curve of Musidora’s. The model’s eyes are very kohled. The lipstick reads as actually black on film versus red lipstick photographing darkly. Another dip a little too far into the exaggeration of Musidora’s image is the black beauty mark. Musidora did not sport one in the film. Even the outfit is not quite correct. The model wears lace gloves reminiscent of a style popular in the 1980s. In the film, Musidora wears more practical opaque gloves. Maybe in honor of René Gruau‘s portrait of the actress in her most famous role, the model clutches beaded necklaces, something the character of Irma Vep does not do when jumping rooftops in the film. She’s stealthier than that. Plus, the photo looks too modern and crisp, even for one that might have digitally restored.

Here are some images of Musidora as Irma Vep in the catsuit for your comparison:

Musidora in Catsuit for Les Vampires

Musidora Catsuit Lying down in Les Vampires

Musidora Catsuit Searching in Les Vampires

Musidora Catsuit Caught in Les Vampires

My first step in solving the mystery of who took this photo of whom was to Google. I searched the web via text and via image, and I finally used the correct search words with the picture. I found that while Tumblr was the most guilty in attributing the photograph incorrectly, it also held my answer of the image’s origins. Lys Reygor’s Tumblr shows multiple copies of this image. Under one, a Tumblr user going by the name Jadé Antoinette credits Lys Reygor as the model and Béatrice Tatareau as the photographer. The photo shoot site is listed as Bordeaux.

Lys Reygor Tumblr Proof

I then used those three names as search terms, and I eventually found Béatrice Tatareau’s Musidora-inspired photographs on a French site called Wizzz. There was a whole gallery of them to scroll through. Off to the side was a citation of model (Lys Reygor), place (a rooftop in Notre-Dame, Bordeaux), year (1985), and photographer (Béatrice Tatareau). I had found proof of Jadé Antoinette’s claim! In doing so, I proved what I knew was true–That’s not Musidora!

My excitement at being right was moderated by the artist’s biography on Wizzz:

“Deux de mes photos de la série Sur les toits, rue Notre-Dame, Bordeaux, 1985 sont légendées à tort sur internet sous le nom de l’actrice Musidora, Irma Vep dans Les Vampires, le film de Louis Feuillade (1915) © Gaumont. Je tiens à préciser que je suis l’auteure de ces œuvres, épreuves argentiques N&B datant de 1985. Je signale ici l’appartenance de mes photographies au patrimoine de l’ADAGP. Merci de votre visite.”

Roughly translated by Google into English, it says:

“Two of my photos from the series on the roofs, Notre Dame, Bordeaux 1985 are wrongly captioned on the Internet under the name of the actress Musidora, Irma Vep in Les Vampires, Louis Feuillade ‘s film (1915) © Gaumont . I want to say that I am the author of these works, B & W silver prints dating from 1985, I note here of my photographs belonging to the heritage of the ADAGP. Thank you for your visit.”

I initially took up my search to disprove the the photograph’s authenticity. I did not want Musidora incorrectly identified anymore. There is not as much available documentation on the actress in English as there is in French, so I was going to assist with that in this case. I’m now asserting the authorship of the photograph and the others in its series as well. Tatareau is in the odd position of having a photograph become widely distributed online, which could be seen as a mark of success for her piece, yet not getting credit. It must be an odd position to be in as a creator! Film fans often get excited about potent photographs and share them quickly and frequently. Tatareau’s is a good example of making sure what you share is genuine. It’s, also, a reminder to give credit to photographers when we can. We’re sharing their work and creativity.

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Beth Ann Gallagher

33 Comments

  1. Reply

    Rolf Hacken

    September 3, 2014

    I am Rolf Hacken a former designer/makeup artist in Bordeaux, I did occasional makeup for close friend photographers such as Béatrice (then nicknamed Audrey) and I did this one in May 1985 on our common friend Lys (then a painter now a singer in her band “The Sweet Five”)
    Sorry you’re wrong : I used black eyeliner, not red lipsick as you firmly believe – that would’ve never been so black on modern photo film being aware nothing compares to authentic silentv era material !!
    Such a makeup was close to 1977 punk as they borrowed much from the 1920’s but certainly not gothic (which was soft mainstrean in France, but for us already outdated in 85)…gothic or not, we hadn”t seen anything as much close to the silents around at that time and even thereafter (except a few paltry attempts) and it all justifies that all of them ignorants thought it as a “Vampire” excerpt, that’s why.

    • Reply

      msbethg

      September 3, 2014

      Hello Rolf! It’s an unexpected, but welcome surprise to hear from someone associated with this photo shoot.

      Actually I don’t claim that red lipstick was used in the photo. I assert that the lipstick was much too dark in the photograph to be red lipstick. It would have been unusual silent film make-up to use actual black on the lips. That’s why I link to a piece on silent film make-up after making that point. I guess I could have clarified my point better via text!

      I know at the time it was very hard for the general public to get black lipstick. Such a color had a more limited commercial appeal then. It is interesting to know that you used black eyeliner! That takes me back to my teenage years when I head a couple of friends who used to do that. It was effective, but I don’t think it tasted good to the wearer.

      What do you think of the image persisting and becoming viral within the subculture of silent film fans? Many of the more technologically savvy silent film fans have seen and/or shared this photo you were involved in creating. Mistaken identity or not, your image appeals to them, and they are an international subculture, with many finding each other via the internet, just like they’ve found this photo.

  2. Reply

    Béatrice Tatareau

    September 3, 2014

    Merci mille fois de votre article très intéressant, très documenté, relatant l’histoire de ma photo! L’auteure Béatrice Tatareau

    • Reply

      msbethg

      September 3, 2014

      Merci à vous pour visiter mon blog! C’était une autre surprise aujourd’hui. Je suis heureux d’aider les autres connaissent l’artiste de votre photo, vous!

  3. Reply

    Jason Day

    September 3, 2014

    What an intriguing mystery and fascinating post – you know your Musidora! A clear lesson to anyone looking for image on the internet that purport to represent silent film stars. On a similar topic, I once visited an old portrait/autograph shop in Cardiff, Wales and the shop owner tried to sell me a signed Lillian Gish portrait for £50. A bargain – but the portrait was of Mary Pickford! Cheeky; and he was very annoyed when I told him so.

    • Reply

      msbethg

      September 3, 2014

      That is a great story! Had he signed the picture of Mary Pickford as Lillian Gish?

      Yes, there are a lot of innocent and not so innocent mistakes being made in regards to silent film stars. In the case of this “Musidora” picture, the artist did a very good job of being inspired. It was a lot of fun looking for details and solving this mini-mystery. I’m glad you enjoyed my post!

  4. Reply

    Béatrice Tatareau

    September 3, 2014

    Merci encore de l’analyse très subtile de votre travail de détective!
    Ce que je déplore c’est sans nul doute la malhonnêteté de certains spécialistes du cinéma comme le CNC, centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée, qui a publié ma photo légendée à tort Musidora, Les vampires, Louis Feuillade, de janvier à mars 2014, pendant trois mois, sur son site web ainsi que profil Facebook.
    J’ai conservé captures d’écran et adresses URL.
    Sur demande de l’ADAGP le CNC a fini par retirer ma photo sans régler les droits d’auteur et sans la moindre excuse…
    Et dire que c’est ce genre d’organisme qui soutient les créateurs!!!
    Sans compter, naturellement, qu’ils divulguent de fausses informations…
    Alors vous comprendrez combien je trouve votre démarche précieuse et réconfortante.

    • Reply

      msbethg

      September 4, 2014

      Je pense qu’ils n’ont pas la recherche de votre photo! Ils ont supposé qu’il était vieux et dans le domaine public. Dommage qu’ils n’aient pas plus agréable de vous au sujet de votre photo!

      J’ai écrit le Women Film Pioneers Project sur votre image, et ils ont reconnu mon email, mais pas leur erreur pour moi. Ils se sont retirés de votre photo aussi.

      Je suis certains algorithmes de Google vous font plus difficile à trouver pour les anglophones. Ils privilégient les sites Web dans la langue de l’internaute. J’espère que mon blog vous aidera à cet égard!

      Si jamais vous souhaitez être interviewé sur mon blog au sujet de votre photo et votre inspiration pour le faire, dites-moi! Je serais heureux de rendre service.

  5. Reply

    Mark Hobin

    September 4, 2014

    We’ve been following each other in Twitter and I didn’t even realize you are local. It’s always nice to see a fellow film blogger from the Bay Area. I adore old movies, although I mainly blog about what is currently at the multiplex with the occasional indie fare thrown in. I’ll check out a revival of a classic at the Stanford Theater (Palo Alto) every once in a while too. Good stuff!

    • Reply

      msbethg

      September 4, 2014

      Nice of you to stop by my blog! Yes, I’m in the Bay Area as well. I’ve been here almost ten years now.

      I’m the reverse, I like contemporary movies as well, but I somehow end up watching many classics and silents. I need to see a modern film more often!

      I love the Stanford! If it was closer to me, I would be there all the time. It is a gem!

  6. Reply

    Béatrice Tatareau

    September 5, 2014

    Merci beaucoup d’avoir contacté Women Film Pioneers Project! C’est important de signaler que je suis membre de l’ADAGP, qui gère mes droits d’auteur.Mais la plupart enlève ma photo pour ne pas régler les droits d’auteur.
    Ok pour l’interview c’est une très bonne idée!
    Je vous souhaite une bonne journée.

    • Reply

      msbethg

      September 11, 2014

      Super! Je vais penser à quelques questions.

  7. Reply

    L. Reygor

    September 11, 2014

    Hello, fine, you are a good detective !
    L.Reygor

    • Reply

      msbethg

      September 11, 2014

      Oh, you have found my blog, too!?! Wonderful. Thank you for your compliment!

  8. Reply

    Béatrice Tatareau

    September 12, 2014

    Hello!
    Pour répondre à vos questions c’est Rolf qui est à l’origine de cette série (1985) Il était un fervent admirateur du cinéma de Feuillade.
    Lys était une amie et s’est prêtée au jeu.Un très charmant modèle!
    Rolf était très doué, il a réalisé le maquillage mais aussi les costumes.
    Je me rappelle avoir trouvé les gants dans un Monoprix, vous aviez raison en ce qui concerne ce détail tout à fait anachronique!
    J’ai photographié Lys et Rolf qui étaient modèles tous les deux dans cette série, sur les toits d’un immeuble, dans le quartier des Chartrons, à Bordeaux.
    Cette photo circule sur le net en format horizontal ou vertical, il s’agit de la même photo.
    On peut voir également sur le net une autre photo de la série, également identifiée à tort Musidora.
    Il s’agit d’un gros plan , visage de Lys.
    Michelle Handelman en a fait son avatar ainsi que d’autres internautes moins illustres.
    Merci encore de votre intérêt!

    • Reply

      msbethg

      February 21, 2015

      Beatrice, these recollections are a great starting point for another post on my blog about your Irma Vep/Musidora photographic series. Do you mind if I ask you some questions in English for a new post? My French is “rusty” so it takes me a lot longer to write questions in French than it would in English.

  9. Reply

    michelle handelman

    November 29, 2014

    Dear Beatrice, Hello! I think it is an amazing testament to the power of your image (and talent!) that everyone thinks your photo is from the original ‘Les Vampires’. I too was fooled and I’m grateful your people have informed me of the mistaken identity …I would never use an image of another artist without asking and giving them credit. Your images are stunning…and the fact that they have become a part of Musidora’s history, well c’est incroyable! All women artists need to rewrite history!

    • Reply

      msbethg

      February 21, 2015

      Michelle, thanks for dropping by Spellbound by Movies and leaving such a sweet message for Beatrice!

  10. Reply

    BEATRICE TATAREAU

    December 16, 2014

    Dear Michelle,Hello! I find hard to believe one could mistaken my photograph as Les Vampires’original, especially cinéma experts or historians.To this matter MSBETHG’s blog is a reference. She brillantly analyses all the inaccuracies of my photograph.
    And I would rather not my photograph be part of Musidora’s history, since despite an international success I rarely get crédit for it. As an artist you could easy imagine that my situation is not cheerful.
    That being said, I am thankful for your message.

    • Reply

      msbethg

      February 21, 2015

      Beatrice, to say your photos have “inaccuracies” seems too strong a term. I see your photographs as displaying creative liberties to recreate what were memories of films once seen and to make your own still movies of new adventures of Irma Vep and her accomplice.

  11. Reply

    TATAREAU

    March 4, 2015

    C”est moi qui vous remercie de tout ce que vous avez fait pour moi et pour la reconnaissance de cette photo!

    • Reply

      msbethg

      March 14, 2015

      Mon plaisir pour aider!

  12. Reply

    Keith DeWeese

    May 11, 2015

    I can’t believe I found this “expose” of these photos. I asked about them via Video Watchdog on Facebook and was lead to your excellent post. Today, I received a copy of the Grau poster, “Musidora 1953,” and went looking for photos of Musidora on the ‘net to contextualize the poster for a friend. I saw the homage photos and, yet again, I was irritated by them (I’ve seen them for years.) Tonight, I was so irritated that I got my answers! And the gloves aren’t right 🙂

    • Reply

      msbethg

      May 12, 2015

      I’m happy you found my post and I could help you solve the mystery of these photographs! The internet has spread incorrectly labeled copies like wildfire. I suspect because the images are so strong and clear that people get excited to share them and don’t care to look too closely at them to discern this Irma Vep isn’t Musidora’s. I even found an academic site perpetuating this misattribution despite some obvious anachronisms like those gloves!

      That René Gruau poster is another wonderful tribute to her. I own one, too, and I treasure it. I hope you get much pleasure out of owning yours!

  13. Reply

    Keith DeWeese

    May 11, 2015

    Additionally, I have a whole new appreciation for these photo thanks to this post. My regards to the artists!

    • Reply

      msbethg

      May 12, 2015

      So glad to read that! I think by sharing those sentiments on this post, that they will reach Beatrice, Lys, and Rolf. They have all commented above.

  14. Reply

    Béatrice Tatareau

    June 6, 2015

    Thank you very much for your interest for this picture!

  15. Reply

    Darillyn Lamb Starr

    December 28, 2016

    Brava! I’m very happy to find out who is in that picture, in which the bone structure, make-up, etc, is all wrong for Musidora. It’s also a pet peeve of mine to see photographs misidentified. Many people don’t seem to think it matters, but it’s a person’s memory, and we owe it to them to identify them, only correctly! I don’t think many people look very closely at the features of someone in a picture. There is another photo I’ve seen identified as both Nita Naldi and Musidora, which is actually of Italian actress Pina Menichelli. You can see it here http://en.unifrance.org/directories/person/392675/musidora It surprised me that a French film site would misidentify such a significant French actress.

    • Reply

      msbethg

      January 3, 2017

      Thank you, Darillyn! I agree with you that we owe it to a person’s memory and career to honor them via correct identification. I often think one incidence of a person who’s not as well-versed in a performer identifying the artist incorrectly gets magnified into many mistakes due to others not verifyin what they’re resharing as accurate. That is too bad about Pina! I’ve seen another example of her being misidentified. We need more festivals showing silents to showcase her! The San Francisco Silent Film Festival IL FUOCO once.

  16. Reply

    Isabelle McNeill

    November 13, 2017

    This is so helpful! I was led to believe this was Musidora (despite clear differences from other representations) by an academic article: Confounding the Plausibles: Louis Feuillade’s Epic Crime Serials by David Sterritt, Cinéaste, Vol. 38, No. 2 (Spring 2013), pp. 25-29, in which this image also features, attributed to Musidora! Such a supposedly authoritative attribution really tricked me into incorporating this particular image into my understanding of Musidora’s public image (though of course in way Tatareau’s homage/inspiration does testify to the iconic nature of Musidora’a black bodysuit! Anyway, thank you so much for this correction.

  17. Reply

    Isabelle McNeill

    November 13, 2017

    p.s. According to Francis Lacassin, the first actress to don a black bodysuit, was actually Josette Andriot in the role of a female spy in the 1913 (or 1914?) film Protéa – though Lacassin argues that Andriot looked more ‘sporty’ than ‘erotic’!

  18. Reply

    msbethg

    February 21, 2015

    Merci pour le reblog, Beatrice!

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