Hispano Films

Francisco Sanz Baldoví (Anna, 1872-Valencia, 1939), better known as “Paco Sanz” or “ventriloquist Sanz”, was one of the most popular artists in Spain in the first half of the 20th century. In 1918, the Spanish ventriloquist filmed this fascinating documentary (entitled “Sanz and the Secret of His Art”), with the help of filmmaker Maximiliano Thous and his two artisan mechanics, in order to show the extraordinary complexity of the mechanism of his dolls and his ability to handle them on stage.

Barcelona, early twentieth century. While a trio of masked burglars and their minions search for an ancient Moorish treasure that can only be located when the two parts of an ornamental chain are connected, Inspector Hernández and his faithful assistant Carlos follow the dreadful crime path they walk by. (Only the German cut of the three original Spanish episodes has survived.)

Pyrenees mountain range, 17th century. Before dying, Diego de Robles, leader of a ruthless gang of highwaymen, has his daughter Carmen, a beautiful young woman full of courage, recognized as the new leader of the gang. (Partially preserved film: with a running time of approximately twenty-five minutes, about nineteen survive. There are doubts about the true identities of those involved in the production, both technical and artistic crew.)

The very first Spanish full feature-length film is based on musical composed by Enric Morera on a libretto by Francesc Pujols i Morgades, based on a work by Víctor Balaguer premiered on October 7, 1922 at the Tívoli Theater in Barcelona. The action takes place around the Catalan gang in the seventeenth century; it is a story of impossible love between "nyerros" and "cadells" that culminates with the execution of the titled protagonist.

The bastard brothers Fadrique, Enrique and Tello de Trastámara conspire against King Pedro I, who orders Fadrique to be assassinated and who, in turn, dies at the hands of Enrique in the presence of Bertrán Duglesclín.