Richard Oswald's "Uncanny Tales" debuted with a length of 2,318 meters
on July 16th 1920 after a preview screening on November 6, 1919.
The original negative is considered lost.
This partial restoration is a copy of the nitrate film
conserved by the Cinémathèque Française.
The film currently has a length of 2,230 meters.
UNCANNY TALES
A prelude with an antiquarian bookseller.
The Devil - The Prostitute - Death
The Apparation By Anselma Heine
"My husband is crazy..."
"Despite our divorce, he pursues me wherever I go."
"The lady is number 117 on the first floor, Mr. Zimmer is number 328 on the third."
"I don't feel well. Leave me alone."
"We have no free rooms in the entire hotel."
Among old friends.
2 A.M.
"I've scared myself... I must've had the wrong number!"
The next morning.
"Please announce me to the lady in number 117."
"That room is empty."
"You arrived alone."
"The name of the woman is not found in our registry book."
At the police station.
"I know of the case... You arrived alone."
"That man has had relations with my wife."
"Last night..."
"Nobody was allowed to say that she had died from the plague."
The Hand. by Robert Liebmann
"She must decide in favor of one of the two of us."
Several years later.
"Tonight is my debut as a ballerina. Come and see me."
That night.
After the performance.
"Let's shake the table."
"In total silence, we can speak with the spirits of the dead."
"Are you afraid?"
The Black Cat. by Edgar Allan Poe
"That man over there has a beautiful wife."
Later.
The next day.
"Where is the cat?"
The next day.
"My wife has left on a trip."
"He killed his wife."
"Everyone knows..."
"We want to search the house..."
"You have a basement, too?"
"He entombed the cat along with his wife."
The Suicide Club. by Robert Louis Stevenson
"That house is uninhabited."
"It's just a suicide club."
"Would you like to be a member of the club?"
"Let him go. You have no right to kill."
"That lady is my sister. You are part of a club;
where one is free to join but never free to leave."
Abandon all hope Ye who enter here
"Let us honor the man who, yesterday, sat in this spot."
"Whoever draws the ace of spades dies tonight."
"I've been here two years and have never drawn the ace of spades."
"If push this button... you will be unable to get up."
"If I push this button... you will die."
"When the clock strikes twelve..."
"Fear killed him."
"If I push this button... you will be unable to get up."
"If I push this button... you will die."
Artur Silas Police Commissioner
The Spectre. by Richard Oswald
Me, a young woman... it's silly, I fear! I feel completely isolated here.
My husband is interested in every little thing, Except for I, who wears his ring.
In our domain, a goodly knight Has been wounded in a daring fight.
His mount is well beyond repair. We shall rest him in this chair.
I beg you consider this chateau As you would your own home.
But please ignore me, I must espouse For I am but a husbandly spouse.
I know not of fear, for my part! The fires of courage burn in my heart.
In a duel yesterday, while I smiled, I struck down a lieutenant like a child.
For such brave exploits does he strive! With him, any woman would feel alive.
This is completely out of touch With you, who lacks oh so much.
Duty calls my heart Away from these fair parts.
In your strong protection, I leave my wife with you, dear baron!
What bravery! He shows such bluster That I could never hope to muster.
With my wife I would never jest. That man had more strength than all the rest.
Can you feel my heart burning for you? A woman who loves her husband, it is true.
That in this tale of history. There is nothing strange nor uncanny.
F I N