Henry Roussell Movies
- 1933
This is the French-language version of the exotic German drama Saison in Kairo. Set in Cairo (where else?), the story revolves around the efforts by Toby (Georges Rigaud) and Stephy (Renete Muller) to marry off Toby's mother (Spinelly) to Stephy's father (Henry Roussell). The complications: Toby's mom is forever involved in highly publicized scandals, while Stephy's dad is a chronic gambler. In addition, the parents misunderstand their children's attentions, assuming that Toby and Stephy are in love. It isn't hard at this point to figure out which couple will be marching down the aisle at film's end. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Renate Muller, Henry Roussell, (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
Director Henri Roussel adapted the screenplay of Atout Coeur (Hearts are Trumps) from a play by Felix Gandera. The troubles begin for heroine Arlette (Alice Cocea) when she is forced into a marriage with a self-styled nobleman. In truth, Arlette's new husband is a common burglar who has stolen the real nobleman's identification papers. Thanks to the intervention of a resourceful cousin, Arlette meets and falls in love with the actual nobleman, to whom, under the eyes of the law, she has been married all along. The intricacies of the storyline are presented in an attractive, intelligent fashion by Roussel and his talented cast. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alice Cocea, Jean Angelo, (more)
- 1929
Set in Paris in the pre-WWI years, Paris Girls stars Suzy Vernon as a French lass with show-business aspirations. Leaving her family behind, Vernon heads to America where she becomes a success on Broadway as dancing star "Captain Peggy." Returning to France, our heroine weds her childhood sweetheart Fernand Fabre. Their future happiness is threatened by Vernon's former stage cohort Esther Kiss, a jealous type who wants the wealthy Fabre all to herself. Things come to a rowdy climax on board a yacht, where Vernon and Kiss square off in a hiss-and-scratch duel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Suzy Vernon, Daniele Parola, (more)
- 1929
Based on a play by Francis de Croisset, The New Men (Les Nouveaux Messieurs) was adapted for the screen by its director, Jacques Feyder, in collaboration with Charles Spaak. The plot focuses on Gaillac (Albert Prejean), an electrician employed by the Paris Opera. In love with gorgeous ballerina Suzanne (Gaby Morlay), Gaillac must play second fiddle to Suzanne's wealthy "protector," powerful politician Count Montoire (Henry Roussell). When the Opera personnel go on strike, Gaillac is appointed leader of the strikers, doing his job so well that he is ultimately elected Secretary of Labor in the French cabinet. Now on equal footing with Montoire, Gaillac is at last a "worthy" suitor for Suzanne -- who can't make up her mind between her two well-connected admirers, leading to a political rivalry the likes of which Paris has never seen. This harmless political satire ended up being banned by the French government for undermining "the dignity of Parliament and its ministers"; on a more positive note, the film earned Jacques Feyder a contract with MGM studios in Hollywood. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gaby Morlay, Albert Prejean, (more)
- 1927
Also known as La Nuit, this early talkie was filmed in both French and German-language versions, a common (if expensive) practice at the time. Henry Roussell directed the French version and played a supporting role, while Carl Froehlich (the producer) helmed the German version. Both adaptations were based on a play by Henry Kistemeier, and both starred Marie Bell and Jean Murat. The story concerns a happily married couple whose future together is threatened when a woman appears claiming to be the husband's long-lost wife. This is curiously resolved with a wild auto-chase finale -- which seems more suited to a William Boyd actioner than a romantic melodrama. Musical highlights are provided by American nightclub entertainer Kitty Kelly and Babe Egan's Red Heads, an all-girl orchestra. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marie Bell, Jim Gérald, (more)
- 1924
Spanish actress Raquel Meller stars as Violetta in this historical romantic drama set during the reign of Napoleon III of France. The film is plagued by uneven direction and lighting, and little information is available as to the storyline. Andre Roanne, Suzanne Blanchetti, and Sans Juana co-star in this French film. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Raquel Meller, Suzanne Bianchetti, (more)
