Robert Dalban Movies

The French My Other Husband (Attention! Une Femme Peut en Cacher une Autre) would eventually suffer the indignity of an American TV-movie remake, which will go unnamed here to protect the guilty. The original film is a sprightly vehicle for the delectable Miou-Miou. Thanks to her resourcefulness and spunk, Alice (Miou-Miou) manages to get two well-paying jobs in two separates cities. She also acquires two husbands, airline pilot Philippe (Roger Hanin) and school teacher Vincent (Eddy Mitchell), and three children unevenly distributed between them. Our Heroine is found out when Philippe's schedule is changed and he chances to meet Vincent. Both men accept the situation philosophically, but a frantic Alice feels an explanation is necessary. It is that explanation that provides the heart and soul of this irresistible little film. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

One the best, most serious detectives in France (Gérard Depardieu) is teamed up with a luckless stumble-bum (Pierre Richard) and sent off to Central America to search for the klutzy daughter of a powerful magnate in this fast-paced and funny French farce. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Right after his release from prison, Victor (Jean-Paul Belmondo) resumes his con-man activities. He rents apartments he doesn't own, sells nonexistent fighter planes to African countries, and by turns pretends to be a gardener, lawyer, private detective, governmental official, and even a transvestite in order to fool his unsuspecting victims. He does it all under the nose of his charming but naive parole officer Marie-Charlotte (Genevieve Bujold). When Victor finds out that Marie-Charlotte's father curates the museum that has an extremely valuable painting, he and his friends decide to steal it. ~ Yuri German, All Movie Guide

Marcello Mastrioanni stars as an aging actor whose career has dwindled to TV commercials. Seeking an anchor in his life, Mastrioanni attempts a reconciliation with his ex-wife. But in this, as in his professional life, Mastrioanni is doomed to disillusionment and failure. Salut L'Artiste should be required viewing for every college theatre class in the country, but we know that it won't be; who among us wants to admit that dreams don't always come true? Director Yves Robert, best known for his Marcel Pagnol adaptations, both produced and co-scripted Salut L'Artiste. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this wacky French spy comedy, the chief of the French secret service wants very much to keep his job and stoops to chicanery to prevent rivals from closing in. He points to a man chosen at random from a crowd of people (Pierre Richard), and identifies him to his rival as an important spy who must be followed at all costs. In fact, he is François, a bumbling, good-natured musician. However, his lack of any notable spy-like failings only serves to convince his watchers that he is more skillful and professional than they. At every turn, they redouble their efforts, leading to many absurd situations. For instance, they send a beautiful woman to try to get his secrets from him. Instead, convinced of his innocence, she falls in love with him. This extremely popular film became actor Pierre Richard's signature role, and he often used the character's name in other films. This was one of the first successful screenplays by Francis Veber, who went on to write the screenplay for La Cage Aux Folles and many other successful comedies. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide

In order to fight gangsters, the local townspeople and some hippie tourists overcome their differences in this French comedy/thriller. The villagers had hoped to lure a richer slice of the tourist trade to their town, but what they got were a bunch of fairly grungy hippies. After putting up with their antics for a while, the locals run the hippies out of town, but not far. The Countess' estate is nearby, and she wants them on her land to irritate the gangster who has forced his company on her. When the gangster makes the mistake of alienating the townspeople, his goose is cooked. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide

The notable French comedian Pierre Richard stars in and directs this, his second feature film. Here he plays Alfred, about whom it may be said, "if it weren't for bad luck, he'd have no luck at all." Unlucky in love, he tries to commit suicide, only to be thwarted by police efforts to prevent a simultaneous attempt by a nearby young woman. Their rescue does not proceed without numerous mishaps. Recovering, the young lady puts him up at her house, as he has run out of places to live. He joins a Parisian sporting team and seems to have transferred his bad luck to a corrupt television boss who is attempting to manipulate the game so that Alfred's Paris team loses. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide

The Daydreamer (Le Distrait) stars Pierre Richard (who also directed) as a stumblebum ad-agency employee. Unable to get by in the "real" world, he opts for his own fantasy world, in which everything goes right for him and he always gets the girl. After several blithe moments, the businessman manages to find success and romance for real. Filmed in 1970, The Daydreamer was released in the U.S. in 1975, after the success of the Pierre Richard comedy The Tall Blonde Man With One Black Shoe. The film was also released as Absent-Minded. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Benjamin (Jacques Brel) is a country doctor who has a way with women with the exception of his fianceé. While other women yearn to play doctor with the handsome physician, his intended intends on saving herself for their wedding night. When the local Marquis feels he is snubbed by the wise cracking medico, he demands revenge. Benjamin is forced to place his puckered lips on the posterior of the pompous Marquis (Bernard Blier). He gets revenge by making love to the Marquis' wife. Benjamin even saves the choking nobleman, but not before he plants a kiss on the doctor's derriere. Swashbuckling swordplay and nudity appear throughout the film. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide

This violent crime drama finds police chief Joss (Jean Gabin) on the trail of a murderous mob boss. When the mob talks Joss' friend into turning to a life of crime, the maniacal mastermind kills the friend, along with the other robbery participants. Joss swears revenge and beats the crooks to the punch by robbing their next intended target. He leaks word to the mob where he can be found and uses a human decoy in an attempt to gun down the vicious murderer and clear his own name. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide

In the third installment of the parodic Fantomas series, the eponymous arch criminal imposes the "right-to-live" tax on the rich, threatening to kill those who dare not to pay. Journalist Fandor (Jean Marais) and commissioner Juve (Louis de Funès) are invited to the Scottish castle of Lord McRashley (Jean-Roger Caussimon), one of Fantomas' potential victims, who has decided to set a trap for the elusive fiend. ~ Yuri German, All Movie Guide

Septime (Louis De Funes) is the owner of a posh French restaurant in Paris who is afraid of his temperamental cooks but who takes his frustrations out on his other employees. When a visiting ambassador is kidnapped from the restaurant, Septime is accused of being an accomplice in the abduction. This sets the scene for some well-staged auto chases over snow-covered mountains. One car flips over but is able to make it down the mountain because skis are attached to the rooftop rack of the vehicle. De Funes adds his own flair of irascible, self-depreciating humor that is the highlight of this comedy spy adventure. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide