Gribouille, once called himself Boireau, before falling in love with a beautiful Sicilian girl to whom he has given his heart across the border. Unfortunately the beautiful girl has a terrible father, from whose presence Gribouille runs away scared and crosses over the border. Back in France our hero, seized by the love of his native land wants to stay there. The Italian authorities strive in vain to block his way. Gribouille jumps on an express train, throws the stoker and mechanic on the rails and takes their place on the tender. Soon the locomotive, overheated thanks to his manoeuvres, explodes in a tremendous catastrophe. Gribouille is thrown amongst the clouds and falls onto the roof of a cinema studio in which he falls like a meteor. He is welcomed with open arms. A number of lenses focus on him as our hero, as is well known, is considered one of the most exhilarating comics, so that the repatriation can sign the commitment to become Boireau in his homeland once again.

Bulletin Pathé

Upon returning to France, after years spent at Itala in Turin, Deed felt that need for renewal which all one-reel slapstick comedies required to survive, so he published an ad in «Ciné Journal» of 30 December, 1911: «Auteurs de scénarios! Adressez vos idées comiques (genre Gribouille) a M. André Deed qui les rétribuera. 45 rue de La Rochefoucauld, Paris». Just a few weeks later the «what’s new in week 161» column, issue n. 43 of «Rivista Pathé», dated 11 February 1912, heralded «And now the schedule for this week’s productions […], ordered by level of interest and starting from a few comic scenes, such as: Gribouille redevient Boireau, a witty comedy starring the incomparable André Deed, to celebrate his return to Pathé…»

«At one time, Gribouille was named Boireau, prior, that is, to falling in love with a charming Sicilian girl whom he couldn’t help but follow. Unfortunately, the lovely Southern belle had a terrible father, whom Gribouille fled from in fear, crossing the border once again. As soon as he returns to France, our hero is struck with love for his homeland and resolves never to leave it again, despite the fact that Italian authorities attempt to stop him however they can».