Maurice Tourneur Movies
Filmmaker Maurice Tourneur's films are admired for their restrained subtlety and lingering moods, particularly in his mystery and fantasy films. He was born in France, a jewel merchant's son, and worked as a decorator and book illustrator until he entered the military service where he served with the French artillery in North Africa. He later became an assistant to sculptor Rodin before becoming an actor with the Rejane and Andre Antoine companies in 1900. In 1911 he was an assistant director at the Eclair film company; one year later he was promoted to director and was sent to America to work in Eclair's US unit. There he became renowned as an impressive stylist and directed many films with a variety of studios. He eventually returned to France following a disagreement at MGM over the production of The Mysterious Island. As he was considered a draft-dodger from WWI, he was not exactly welcomed, still he continued filmmaking until 1949 when he had a leg amputated following an auto wreck. The rest of his days were spent translating American mystery novels into French. His son Jacques Tourneur also became a director. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1948
The troubled turn-of-the-century marriage of a Nobel Prize winner provides the basis of this complex French domestic drama. Neither husband nor wife have been faithful to each other. She is currently having a blatant affair with a drunken news reporter while the writer once had a mistress himself. Unfortunately, she is now dead. His wife discovers that the mistress bore a child and she decides to adopt the orphan herself. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Simone Renant, Gisèle Pascal, (more)
- 1943
Despite the exigencies of the Nazi occupation of France, veteran filmmaker Maurice Tourneur managed to turn out a classic psychological horror film, La Main du Diable (The Devil's Hand). A variation of the Faust legend, the film's "Mephistopheles" is a smarmy Vichy-government civil servant, brilliantly played by Palau. When struggling artist Pierre Fresnay sells his soul, Palau binds the bargain by giving the artist a severed, withered, yet "living" human hand. Years later, Pierre, on the verge of death, is forced to learn the identity of the man from whom the hand was stolen, lest he burn in eternal damnation. The film's highlight is a nocturnal gathering of all the previous owners of the hand who unfold their tales of woe to the beleaguered Pierre. Eventually, the hand is returned to its rightful owner, an ending that is at once happy and tragic. Like most of Tourneur's best works, The Devil's Hand is far better seen than described (prints are available, though most are in deplorable condition). Completed in 1942, the film finally made it to the U.S. several years later. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Pierre Fresnay, Antoine Balpêtré, (more)
- 1940
Though he died in 1943 at the hands of his Gestapo persecutors, the great French stage and screen actor Harry Baur was represented onscreen in 1947 by the first American release of his 1940 vehicle Volpone. Adapted from the Ben Jonson play of the same name, the story concerns a cynical, unscrupulous merchant named Volpone (Baur)-aka "the fox" -- who intends to get even with his enemies by pretending to be dead and watching them fight amongst themselves for his estate. He appoints his servant Mosca (Louis Jouvet), outwardly as dishonest as Volpone, as the executor of his will, then sits back to enjoy the fireworks. Volpone's plan inevitably backfires, setting the stage for an ironic denoument. Director Maurice Tourneur completed Volpone in 1939, but political upheavals in wartime France delayed its original release by a full year. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Louis Jouvet, Harry Baur, (more)
- 1938
Incredibly, Maurice Tourneur's 1938 romantic tragedy Katia has been designated as "delightful" by more than one film historian. Perhaps this description was meant to refer to Tourneur's leading lady, the undeniably delightful Danielle Darrieux. Set during the mid-19th century, the film dwells upon the foredoomed romance between Russian princess Katia (Danielle Darrieux) and the married Czar Alexander II (John Loder). Impressed by her forthrightness and courage, Alexander finds Katia a breath of fresh air when compared with the usual obsequious noblemen who nip at his heels. When their love affair becomes public during a state ball, the ensuing scandal forces Katia to flee to Paris. Upon the death of his wife, the Czar is at last free to wed his beloved Katia-but fate intervenes in the shape of an assassin's bullet. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Danielle Darrieux, Marie-Helene Daste, (more)
- 1938
Le Patriote (The Patriot) was the first of director Maurice Tourneur's two 1938 productions. The incomparable Harry Baur heads the cast as the demented Czar Paul I of Russia. Drunk with power, Paul becomes not only a detriment to his countrymen, but also a clear and present danger. Pahlen (Pierre Renoir), military governor of St. Petersburg, sadly realizes that the only hope for Russia's salvation is Paul's death. Despite his patriotic motives, Pahlen is accused of murdering the Czar for his own political gain, forcing him to take very extremes measure to prove his loyalty and sincerity. A silent version of The Patriot, directed by Ernst Lubitsch and starring Emil Jannings, was filmed in 1927. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Josette Day, Suzy Prim, (more)
- 1936
Filmed in 1936, Maurice Tourneur's Avec le Sourire (With a Smile) finally attained an American release in 1939. The film represented the very first French starring vehicle for Gallic musical comedy favorite Maurice Chevalier, here cast as jaunty but penniless boulevardier Victor Larnois. In search of a quick franc, he waylays the doorman of a Parisian theatre and takes over the job himself, eventually working his way up to the theatre manager's job. After falling in love with and marrying a cute chorus girl (Marie Glory), Larnois dedicates himself to transforming his bride into a high-society doyenne. Having behaved rather callously throughout the proceedings, Larnois regains his humanity by helping out his former employer, now reduced to doorman status himself. Though it occasionally crosses over into Ernst Lubitsch territory, Avec le Sourire is distinctively Maurice Tourneur's film all the way. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marie Glory, Milly Mathis, (more)
- 1936
Sampson was the second of filmmaker Maurice Tourneur's three cinematic contributions to the calendar year 1936. Based on a play by Henry Bernstein, the film stars Harry Baur as ruthless stock-market manipulator Jacques Branchart. Feared by his enemies and mistrusted by his friends, Branchart hopes nonetheless to win the love of the beautiful Anne-Marie d'Andeline (Gaby Morlay). When she spurns him in favor of his business-rival Jerome le Govain (Andre Luguet), Branchart vengefully sets about to destroy Le Govain financially -- and in the process, destroys himself. Incredibly, Branchart comes out ahead romantically at the end, though it's a pyrrhic victory at best. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gaby Morlay, Gabrielle Dorziat, (more)
- 1935
Koenigsmark was a French vehicle for Austro-Italian actress Elissa Landi, who'd just spent several years in Hollywood. Adapted from a novel by Pierre Benoit, the story, set in pre-WW I Austria, revolves around Princess Aurora (Elissa Landi), the wife of Grand Duke Frederick (American actor John Lodge, whose French is impeccable). When the Grand Duke is murdered, the crime is solved by commoner Raoul Vignette (Pierre Fresnay), who happens to be enamored of Aurora. All three stars also appeared in the simultaneously filmed English-language version of this lavishly appointed historical melodrama. Koenigsmark was but one of three big-budget films directed in 1936 by the indefatigable Maurice Tourneur. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elissa Landi, Pierre Fresnay, (more)
- 1933
This Maurice Tourneur production is based on the old theatrical warhorse The Two Orphans, previously (and more famously) filmed by D. W. Griffith as Orphans of the Storm. Rosaine Derain and Renne Saint-Cyr star as sister Louise and Henriette, cruelly separated early in the proceedings and kept apart by fate, villainy and deprivation until the very last scene. Kidnapped by gypsies, the blind Louise is forced to beg in the streets, while Henriette searches desperately for her missing sister. In the end, however, it is Louise who rescues Henriette from a horrible fate. Filmed in 1933, Les Deux Orphelins came to the U.S. in a crudely subtitled version the following year. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rosine Derean, Yvette Guilbert, (more)
- 1932
Indefatigable French director Maurice Tourneur launched his three-picture schedule for 1932 with Au Nom de la Toi (In the Name of the Law). Marcelle Chantal plays the lovely but lethal head of an opium-smuggling ring. When Chantal orders the murder of a detective, another sleuth, played by Charles Vanel, is ordered to infiltrate her gang. The "heroine" falls in love with Vanel, thereby sealing her own doom. Among the many highlights is the near-surrealistic climax, in which the gang's hideout is bombarded guerilla-style with tear gas. Au Nom de la Loi was based on a novel by Paul Bringuier. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marcelle Chantal, Gabriel Gabrio, (more)
- 1932
Every so often, director Maurice Tourneur recharged his creative batteries with such trifles as Gaietes de L'Escadron. The title translates as Fun in the Barracks -- and yes, it is a military comedy. Based on the popular stage play by Georges Courteline, the story centers upon the relationship between easygoing cavalry captain Raimu and obstreperous non-commissioned officer Camus. Eventually, the pompous Camus is made to look like an idiot in front of the General, much to the delight of the long-suffering conscripts under his command. The remarkably stellar supporting cast includes Fernandel as a dimwitted enlistee and Jean Gabin as a habitual slacker. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Henry Roussell, Mady Berry, (more)
- 1931
The second of Maurice Tourneur's two 1931 productions, Partir (To Leave) was also released under the more emphatic title Partir!. The hero is a fugitive from French justice who hopes to escape to the Far East. To finance his exodus, the young man links up with the beautiful female star of a travelling opera troupe, heading out of France via ocean liner. The two fall in love, but lasting happiness is not to be theirs; when the young man's criminal past is exposed by another traveller, he jumps overboard and sinks beneath the waves. Partir is largely a "paid advertisement" for a well-known European steamship firm, which ponied up two-thirds of the film's production costs. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Simone Cerdan, Jean Marchat, (more)
- 1930
The first of Maurice Tourneur's two 1931 films, Maison de Dance is the story of dime-a-dance girl Gaby Morlay. Plying her trade in a Spanish port town, Morlay is lustfully pursued by her boss, as well as by two brothers, both local fishermen. Eloping with one of the siblings, Morlay touches off a violent confrontation between her new husband and his married brother. Her boss joins in the fray, threatening to kill both husband and wife. Suddenly the husband's brother knifes the boss, allowing Morlay and her chosen mate to escape to a new life together. It's a sordid story, elevated to artistry by the inimitable Tourneur touch. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Vanel, Gaby Morlay, (more)
- 1930
Veteran filmmaker Maurice Tourneur made his talking-picture bow with 1930's Accusee - Levez Vous (Accused - Stand Up) The story opens during rehearsals of a Parisian musical revue. The star, a fading actress hoping for a comeback, inaugurates a romance with the male half of a knife-throwing act. The man's female partner, overhearing the cooing couple, vows revenge on the actress. Sure enough, the star is killed onstage in the midst of a comedy sketch, with a knife sticking in her back. But is the "obviously" guilty party really the killer? And why was a gunshot heard at the moment the star fell dead? Perhaps the accused woman's defense attorney has the answer when he calls upon the theater's janitor to testify... Reviewers in 1930 cited the resemblances between Accusee-Levez Vous and the early Norma Shearer talker The Trial of Mary Dugan, though the French film was based on a novel by Jean Jose Frappa. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Vanel, Gaby Morlay, (more)
- 1929
Jules Verne's fantastic 19th century novel Mysterious Island provided the title and little else for this spectacular filmization. Lionel Barrymore plays an altruistic scientist who has built an underground city, hoping to use the modernistic devices he has installed to bring about world peace. But evil Slavic nobleman Montagu Love, whom Barrymore regards as a friend, has other plans. He kidnaps Barrymore's daughter and forces the kindly scientist to gear up his inventions to make war. With the help of hero Lloyd Hughes, and with the unexpected assistance of a race of duck-like underwater humanoids, Barrymore destroys his subterranean domain and foils the villain's plans--at the cost of his own life. Though essentially a silent film, Mysterious Island includes several well-integrated sound sequences; its highlight was a Technicolor submarine ride, which unfortunately exists only in black and white today. The 1961 version of Mysterious Island has absolutely nothing to do with the 1929 version beyond its claim (again) to be based on the Verne original. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lionel Barrymore, Jane Daly, (more)
