René Gaveau Movies
- 1940
Virtually plotless, Surprises Radio is little more than a nonstop parade of specialty numbers, performed by some of France's top radio stars. The film was clearly designed to allow the rural radio fans a rare opportunity to see their favorites "in the flesh." In this respect, the film is a valuable record of a form of entertainment that has long since passed from the scene. Otherwise, Surprises Radio is no better nor worse than such Hollywood airwave extravaganzas as Radio City Revels and Radio Stars on Parade. And with a running time of 80 minutes, it is surprising that the film's stars weren't given even more opportunity to strut their stuff; as it stands, they all seem to be cut short just as they're warming up. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Andre Bernard, Mady Berry, (more)
- 1939
In one of his last European film appearances, Conrad Veidt heads the cast of Le Joueur D'Echecs (The Checker Player). Set during the reign of Russia's Catherine the Great, the film recreates Poland's ongoing efforts to wrest free of Russian tyranny. Paul Cambo plays Polish patriot Bosleslas Vorosky, whose insurrection is aided by an eccentric Hungarian nobleman, Baron Kempelen (Conrad Veidt). Seemingly more interested in his various mechanical devices (including an automated checker player) than with human beings, Kempelen nonetheless proves to be the best friend the Poles could have, even sacrificing his own life for their cause. In the film's bizarre but historically accurate conclusion, the spiteful Catherine demands that Kempelen's beloved mechanical checker player be executed by firing squad (It makes sense within context--honest!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Françoise Rosay, Micheline Francey, (more)
- 1936
Filmed in 1936 as Mr. Flow, this Robert Siodmak production was based on a novel by Gaston Leroux. Set in summertime Paris, the labyrinthine plotline is set in motion by the title character, a gentleman safecracker played by Louis Jouvet. To recount the entire plotline would require a dictionary-sized synopsis, but its essence can be captured in a single sentence: the clever Mr. Flow is finally outmaneuvered by his beautiful but chronically unfaithful mistress, Lady Helena Scarlett (Edwidge Feuillere). At the time of the film's release, Robert Siodmak was brought to task by critics who felt that the director was trying too hard to imitate Ernst Lubitsch. Such an accusation could never be levelled against Siodmak's Hollywood films, which relied heavily upon horror and melodrama. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edwige Feuillère, Mila Parély, (more)
- 1932
Depending upon what picture he was in, French film personality Milton was described as a "famous singer" or a "famous comedian." It was as a singer that he starred in La Bande a Bouboule, the title of which translates as Bouboule's Gang. Critics carped that the story was "of no interest whatsoever," and indeed the plotline, involving romance and mistaken identity at a vacation resort, is only a peg on which to hang a passel of song solos. A brief sequence involving a bevy of bathing beauties was singled out for critical praise, but that was to be expected in 1932. La Bande a Bouboule was directed by the prolific Leon Mathot, who was in motion pictures when Milton was still in knee-pants. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Georges Milton, Lily Zevaco, (more)
- 1931
On holiday in a mythical Slavic country, a French tourist is inveigled into posing as the husband of a female revolutionary. As a result, our luckless hero winds up in hot water with the police, while the woman runs off with a younger man. This fellow is cajoled into aiding the heroine in an assassination attempt on the Emperor. A good rule of thumb might be "Stay AWAY from that woman!" Based on a best-selling novel, Passeport 13,444 was reportedly faithful to its source, though that didn't necessarily make for a better movie. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tania Fedor, Leon Mathot, (more)
- 1929
Also known as L'Appassionata, this intense romantic drama was adapted from the novel and play by Pierre Fronday. Renee Heribel is cast as Charlotte, the impressionable wife of painter Langur (played by co-director Leon Mathot). Ever in search of "true romance," Charlotte enters into an affair with poet Stifani (Ferdinand Fabre), who in turn is dallying with his longtime mistress Bianca (Ruth Weyher). When Bianca walks out on him, Stifani turns to Charlotte for solace, and before long their casual romance deepens into true love -- or at least it does so far as Charlotte is concerned. Eventually, however, Charlotte tires of Stifani's lack of commitment and returns to Langur. A brief reunion between Charlotte and Stifani is ruined when the latter pledges eternal devotion to his former mistress Bianca. The heartbroken Charlotte contracts pneumonia and dies, motivating Langur to seek vengeance against Stifani. Langur almost weakens in this resolve, but upon being confronted by Stifani's callous indifference, the painter kills the poet without so much as a second thought. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
