Sophie Desmarets Movies
- 1941
In this romantic comedy, a lonely orphan answers a singles ad in a paper and then slips out of the orphanage to meet the man whose letters she has come to love. However, the college professor she meets has actually been ghost writing for the real lonely heart. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Danielle Darrieux, Fernand Ledoux, (more)
- 1945
Amidst a sea of French wartime melodramas, the nonsensical plot convolutions of 120 Rue de la Gare came as a relief. The film exists solely as a vehicle for the comic talents of Rene Dary, here cast as a private detective. Dary finds himself up to his neck in danger when he endeavors to solve a baffling mystery. 120 Rue de la Gare was taken (presumably as far as possible) from a novel by Leo Malet. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sophie Desmarets, Gaby Andreu, (more)
- 1949
Though it took Maurice Chevalier a long time to regain his American popularity after WW II, he remained a favorite in France. In Le Roi, Chevalier stars as--what else?--a king. Making a goodwill visit to France during the era of the First Republic, the merry monarch stirs up trouble with the stauncher anti-royalists. Fortunately, he doesn't lose his head, but he does sacrifice his dignity to a well-aimed cream puff, administered by one Mme. Beaudrier (Sophie Desmarets) who is the wife of a diplomat (Alfred Adam). To avoid a scandal, the diplomat tries his best to get in the king's good graces--which, of course, results in plenty of boudoir shenanigans. Based on a nonmusical stage play, Le Roi manages to find a few opportunities for Maurice Chevalier to sing, which he does with his usual panache. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Annie Ducaux, Sophie Desmarets, (more)
- 1950
In this drama, a free-spirited vagabond's life changes dramatically when he learns that he has inherited a fortune. Unfortunately, he also learns that he has also been named the estate's executor. He refuses and this causes problems for the other two heir who cannot claim their share until he accepts his. They therefore endeavor to change his mind until a fourth heir, and impoverished woman, turns up. In the end, the wanderer can no bear longer to watch the wasteful excesses of the idle rich. He takes his share, creates a rest camp for vagabonds, and hits the road again. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1950
Ma Pomme is not only the title of this charming Gallic comedy, but also the name of its principal character, a carefree tramp. As portrayed by Maurice Chevalier, Ma Pomme is a cheerful indigent who has voluntarily dropped out of the Mainstream, preferring to sing for his supper in the streets. His blissful no-responsibilities lifestyle is shattered when he falls heir to a fortune. After several "money is the root of all evil" negative experiences, Ma Pomme chucks his newfound wealth to return to the sort of life he loves best. Maurice Chevalier is evenly matched in the romantic department by Sophie Desmarets, cast as a world-weary golddigger. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Maurice Chevalier, Sophie Desmarets, (more)
- 1950
In this comedy, a charming (at least he thinks so) king comes to Paris to sign a treaty and quickly learns more about French customs and temperament than he ever wanted to. When the senator he has come to see learns that the king is interested in his wife and mistress, the conniving fellow arranges it so he can have both of them. Following the signing of the treaty, the king, dreadfully pleased with himself, returns to his home. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1951
Fernard Gravet may look like a natural-born philanderer in Ma Femma est Formidable, but appearances are deceiving. Condemned without evidence as a "rake" by his dimwitted wife Sylvia (Sophie Desmarets) and his monstrous in-laws, Raymond Corbier (Gravet) is further bedeviled by the unwarranted advances of man-chasing Marguerite Rival (Simone Valere). Before long, the whole melange looks like a Leon Errol 2-reeler, complete with fake suicides, slapstick and a wisecracking parrot. While it may not seem like such a much to American viewers, Ma Femme est Formidable was a hit in France; in fact, it won several awards at various French film festivals. The film was directed by Andre Hunebelle, who was undoubtedly gratified that he gave up his previous occupation of glassmaker when the box-office take began rolling in. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Fernand Gravey, Sophie Desmarets, (more)
- 1952
Mon Mari est Merveilleux (My Husband is Marvelous) stars Fernand Gravey as Claude, a misogynistic author. Because Claude refuses all interviews, newspaper columnist Sylvia (Soprie Desmarets) resorts to subterfuge to get a story, posing as the servant girl of a wealthy friend. By the time Claude figures out that he's been taken, he's also been smitten by Sylvia, of course. As always, director Andre Hunebelle relies strictly on formula material. And as always, Hunebelle makes the tried-and-true situations seem far fresher and funnier than they are. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Fernand Gravey, Sophie Desmarets, (more)
Le Fils de Caroline Cherie is the third in a series of bodice-ripping Gallic romantic adventures. Replacing Martine Carol as 19th century heroine Caroline is Micheline Grey, who is out of the picture early on as her son Juan Jean-Claude Pascal picks up the plotline. Like his mother, Juan cuts quite a sexual swath through Europe, almost completely oblivious to the Napoleonic wars raging all about him. One of our hero's conquests is played by Brigitte Bardot, who receives top billing. Like its predecessors, Le Fils de Caroline Cherie was heavily censored before its arrival on American shores. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean Pascal, Jacques Dacqmine, (more)
- 1955
Gli Ultimi Cinque Minuti (The Last Five Minutes) was adapted from the popular Italian stage play by Aldo De Benedetti. Hollywood's Linda Darnell heads the cast as Renata, who sublets an apartment in Rome. Unfortunately, Carlo Reani (Vittorio de Sica) also has a legal claim on the apartment. The two tenants solve the dilemma by getting married, with the understanding that Renata can continue pursuing any man she wants. For a while Renata dallies with Dino Moriani (Rosanno Brazzi), but her wifely insticts eventually get the better of her. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Linda Darnell, Vittorio De Sica, (more)
- 1956
Ce Soir les Jupons Volent (Tonight the Skirts Fly) was designed primarily to show off a new wide-screen process called Dyaliscope. The story concerns a trio of clothing models, all of whom participate in a high-profile fashion show. In flashback, the lives of the three girls are detailed, with emphasis on romantic entanglements. Director Dmitri Kirsanoff knows what his audience wants: a goodly portion of the film is given over to backstage glimpses of barely dressed damsels, not to mention the climactic runway display of revealing Gallic gowns. Whether or not the three leading ladies in Ce Soir les Jupons Volent could act was hardly taken into consideration. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
