Book cover
A more recent publication, Chocolat, clown nègre by Gérard Noiriel (in French), attempts to complete Padilla's story by including information from sources such as public archives, films, drawings, and lithographs.
Book cover
I don't remember when I first became aware of Chocolat. I do remember that I only knew of him as the on-stage foil for the scorn and abuse of the white clown named Footit. One of the slogans that became associated with him was "le nègre battu et content (beaten and content)"
Joë Bridge, ca. 1922
The pair performed in typical slapstick style and was extremely popular. They were star performers at the Nouveau Cirque, rue Saint-Honoré, in Paris' 1st arrondissement.
Footit et Chocolat, chaise en bascule (1899) - Lumière
Noiriel's book provides a critical, and more importantly, a balanced look at Rafael's life. I've only begun to read it and am looking forward to learning more about this legendary figure.
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Entrée to Black Paris!™ is a Discover Paris! blog.
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I discovered this entertaining film in April while flying over to the Caribbeans which I greatly enjoyed owing to its realistic depiction of Paris and the lives of people, rich and down-trodden, before the great war even though the story is not quite as in his real life and the excellent performances of all the actors. A black Cuban man who made it in Paris well before the Black Americans. That's a change!
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