Claude Dauphin Movies
Born into a family of French music hall entertainers, Claude Dauphin made his own entree into the theatrical world as a set designer. The prematurely greying Dauphin turned to acting in the late 1920s, making his first film in 1930. Dauphin nearly always managed to elevate his material with his shameless scene-stealing and Boulevardier charm. Broadway audiences were regaled by Dauphin in the original stage version of The Happy Time. In 1955, Dauphin co-starred with Jean Pierre Aumont in the European-filmed TV series Paris Precinct; his later television work included several sparkling guest appearance on the late-night Merv Griffin Show. The brother of actor Jean Nohain, Dauphin was married three times, to actresses Rosine Dearean, Maria Mauban, and Norma Eberhardt. Claude Dauphin's last film was the Norman Rosemont made-for-TV production Les Miserables (1978). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1939
This disturbing melodrama centers upon the relationship between two sisters. One sister is married, but unable to bear children; her husband, who wants kids, is ready to leave her. The other sister is single and pregnant. The baby's father left her. The married sister talks her sister in to giving her the child, so she can save her marriage. The little sister does so, and then falls in love herself and gets engaged. Trouble ensues when the baby's father reappears and blackmails her. Now the sister must decide when and how she is going to tell her fiance the truth. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Corinne Luchaire, Annie Ducaux, (more)
- 1939
Cavalcade D'Amour is divided into three sections, each depicting a romance occurring within the walls of the Chateau de Champs. Legend has it that whoever marries in the Chateau is doomed to an unhappy life. This proves to be the case in 1639 and 1839, but the heroine of the 1939 segment, Corinne Luchaire, is determined to break the jinx. She is convinced that she will prove an unsuitable bride for Claude Dauphin, and he is likewise convinced that he will turn out to be an inadequate groom. But the couple's respective families will not be dissuaded, and the marriage takes place as scheduled? with unexpectedly happy results! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Janine Darcey, Simone Simon, (more)
- 1938
A pair of slippers is the plot catalyst for this rambling French comedy. Hoping to save the reputation of a philandering friend, do-gooder Beatrice (Betty Stockfield) drives all the way from Paris to Switzerland to return an incriminating slipper to its mate. Along the way, she is sidetracked by handsome Georges (Roger Treville). By the time Beatrice arrives at her appointed destination, she finds that her friend has already replaced the tell-tale slipper. Now she's got to get rid of that pesky third slipper-which isn't as easy as it sounds, and which results in all sorts of merry misadventures. The Slipper Episode is based on a story by Tristan Bernard, who appears briefly at the beginning of the film to "explain" the action. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Betty Stockfeld, Roger Treville, (more)
- 1938
Entree des Artistes details the lives and loves of several artistically-inclined students at the Paris Conservatory. Wealthy Cecilia (Odette Joyeux) and not-so-wealthy Isabelle (Janine Darcey) vie for the affections of wise-guy Francois (Claude Dauphin). Isabelle finally lands Francois, forcing him to work as a gigolo to support the two of them. Things take a melodramatic turn when Cecilia is murdered, casting suspicion upon the now-chastened Francois. Trying to make sense of all this is Professor Lambert (Louis Jouvet), one of the Conservatory's leading lights, and the Examining Judge (Marcel Dalio). The throbbing musical score by Georges Auric makes Entree des Artistes seem a lot more profound than it really is. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Louis Jouvet, Claude Dauphin, (more)
- 1932
Befitting its title, which translates as To the Polls, Citizens, this comedy was timed for release during the French political elections of 1932. The plot revolves around the efforts by a wealthy industrialist (Leon Belieres) to win a seat in Parliament. His campaign trail is followed by hotshot journalist Claude Dauphin, who turns out to be a thorn in the industrialist's side. But even though the two men clash over political matters, Dauphin ends up winning the hand of the candidate's comely daughter (Rosinne Derean). American critics compared Aux Urnes, Citoyens favorably to the social satires of director Rene Clair. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Leon Belieres, Rosine Derean, (more)
- 1930
The film for this rare full-length animated feature was fully developed and shot by 1930 - just when sound was beginning to be heard in movies. It was made by the nearly legendary animator Ladislas Starevich, a Russian-born Pole who worked almost exclusively in France; this was his only full-length feature. The original plan was for it to be shown with a coordinated soundtrack played on records, but technology outpaced those plans, and the film was put in storage until several years later. In 1939, the cartoon characters were given voices by well-known French actors, a musical score was composed, and the film was released in Paris in the winter of 1940-41. The master prints of this witty cartoon, which is amusing both for the young and for adults (who are the only ones who will get many of the jokes) were retrieved from the animator's estate and restored for re-release in 1990. In the story, Renard the fox is a charming creature who is so very clever that he often outsmarts even himself. Practically every animal in the kingdom has some complaint about being bamboozled by him, but when he flim-flams the king himself, something must be done. The king attacks Renard's castle, which is ingeniously (if ineffectively) defended. Once Renard is captured the king can't bring himself to harshly punish the errant rogue, and instead makes him his prime minister. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Claude Dauphin, Romain Bouquet, (more)
