“Horror reigned at the Grand Guignol and people flocked in, not knowing or caring much about the plot of the play they were about to see, but taking comfort in the certainty that they were going to be frightened out of their seats” (Colin, p. 10). And seeing as the St. Georges Theatre’s production of Destination Unknown was directed in part by former Guignol director, Camille Choissy, audiences could certainly expect to receive more of the same thrills and chills. And Colin’s eerily erotic poster no doubt helped to lure lovers of the macabre in droves. Though no plot traces could be dug up for the play, the poster tantalizes, yet reveals very little. Colin divides the surface into three clearly delineated areas: at right, “Laughter,” indicated by glowing violet candlelight; at center, an ominous cadaver; and third, a drooling fiend in shadowy black and white called upon to represent “Terror.” Even with these hints, many questions remain—but the design certainly piques one’s morbid curiosity, creating a desire to know more.
Imp. H. Chachoin, Paris
literature: PAI-XXXIV, 341