For the final day of ICM's French Film Challenge,I wanted to pick something a bit special to view. Digging into the pile of 1932 French movies waiting to be viewed,I found one which had no IMDb reviews,which led to me finding out who he is.
Note:Some spoilers.
View on the film:
In adapting Guy de Maupassant's novel, the screenplay by " Russell M. Spalding" (who with no other credits is likely an alias) twists the classic into a US Pre-Code-inspired tale, (it later got put out in a dubbed,cut down version in the US)with Isidore pure innocence unleashing playfully comedic double entendres and sly asides over who will take his virginity. His first film since 1922, director Dominique Bernard-Deschamps & cinematographer Nicolas Farkas put one foot in the "talkie" and the other kept in the "Silent", as the quick-fired dialogue is paired with stylish Silent passages, (backed by Michel Michelet's delicate score) of Isidore edging towards losing his innocence. The model of virtue in the town, Françoise Rosay gives a shining, witty turn as Husson, whilst Fernandel convincingly holds on Isidore's face a total lack of self-awareness over what he encounters.
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