Frank Villard Movies
French actor Frank Villard (born Francois Drouineau in Saint-Jean-d'Angely) frequently played leading roles in average-quality French films. Before becoming an actor, Villard was a painter. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide- 1965
This French version of the notorious spy's life centers less on her romantic escapades, and more on those that reveal the person she actually was during WW I when her German superiors ordered her to seduce the French captain Trintignant so she can steal classified papers from him. Instead she falls in love with him, blows the cover, and ends up convicted of espionage and shot. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeanne Moreau, Jean-Louis Trintignant, (more)
- 1962
In this espionage adventure, a French spy attempts to bust up an international ring of gun smugglers. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1962
The French The Price of Flesh originally entered theatres as Detournement de Mineures. Helene Chanel is the archetypal nice girl who falls into bad company. First she poses for nude pictures, then she allows herself to be talked into a life of prostitution. Chanel is rescued by journalist Michel Roux, who happens to be the fiancee of Chanel's sister Josette Demay. The Price of Flesh was largedly filmed on location in Tangiers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
Jackie Gleason plays Gigot, a lumbering but lovable mute Parisian derelict. Shunned by the "respectable" people around him, Gigot is beloved by the children. One of the kids, a little girl, is the melancholy daughter of an insensitive prostitute. Gigot befriends the lonely child and protects her against her wicked parent and the local constabulary. Gigot was heavily edited by 20th Century Fox prior to its release, and subsequently disowned by its director, Gene Kelly. Still, a few hilarious and genuinely poignant moments shine through in this Chaplinesque tour de force for Jackie Gleason, who not only starred but wrote the script and the musical score. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jackie Gleason, Katherine Kath, (more)
- 1962
Three screenwriters pooled their talents for the French racetrack drama Duke of the Derby. Jean Gabin plays a handicapper who's been living high on the hog (or horse) for years. While playing the ponies at Britain's Epson Downs, Gabin finally outsmarts himself. The rest of the story concerns his feverish efforts to recoup his former glory. Originally Le Gentleman D'Epsom, the film is also known as Grandes Seigneurs. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean Gabin, Madeleine Robinson, (more)
- 1962
Gentle Art of Murder is comprised of a trio of short crime tales: "The Spider's Web," "The Fenyrou Case" and "The Mask." An international all-star cast appears in these filmed playlets, wherein each perfect murder turns out to be less than perfect. The stories are linked by "bookend" scenes in which an aspiring wife murderer goes to a movie house and watches the three cautionary tales unreel. Nearly three hours long, Gentle Art of Murder holds both the audience--and the would-be killer--in thrall. The film's original title was Crime Does Not Pay, though it bears no relation to the MGM short-subjects series of the same name. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edwige Feuillère, Pierre Brasseur, (more)
- 1961
This somewhat verbose, standard comic thriller involves one sharp gangster nicknamed Le Dabe (Jean Gabin) pitted against three others as they work on a counterfeiting operation. Le Dabe has just been cooling his heels in the hot tropics and has now resurfaced in France where he hooks up with the counterfeiting trio. Together, they print out millions in fake Dutch guilders, but along the way, the three friends scheme to double-cross Le Dabe as soon as their operation is completed. They obviously underestimate the man. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean Gabin, Martine Carol, (more)
- 1958
The legendary Spanish screen siren Sarita Montiel headlines this gentle romantic drama; she stars as Soledad, a beautiful yet humble violet seller whose life turns a fantastic corner when she meets and falls deeply in love with the wealthy suitor Fernando. Unfortunately, because he is the product of Madrid's upper crust, the reality of class differences soon checks in and he splits off from her. Yet Soledad aggressively pursues her own brand of success and establishes herself as a popular singer - effectively giving herself another chance with her old love. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- 1956
In this thriller a French woman is arrested for the death of her cruel lover. She certainly had motive as the man was a real snake. She hides him from the Nazis during WW II; he gets her pregnant, betrays her, and has her sent to a concentration camp. Even though it seems obvious that she was the killer, the woman pleads innocent. Two reporters believe her and begin investigating the stabbing. They soon find themselves entangled in a ring of international counterfeiters. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
