Sophie Desmarets Movies

Producer/director Sacha Guitry's contribution to the 1956 film season was the free-flowing historical pageant Si Paris Nous Etait Conte (If Paris Were Told to Us). Guitry himself appears as the ghost of King Louis XI, who relates the story of Paris to a group of fascinated modern-day students. As usual, Guitry manages to "humanize" history by depicting the great men and women of France in amusing warts-and-all fashion. Symbolizing the indomitable spirit of Paris is Robert Lamoureaux as Latude, a prisoner of the Bastille who repeatedly tries to escape, and just as repeatedly is captured and thrown back in jail. A note of pathos is provided by Jacques de Feraudy as the dying Voltaire. Though Sacha Guitry suffered a stroke and was confined to a wheelchair throughout much of the filming of Si Paris Nous Etait Conte, he still had two more films left in him before his death in 1957--just 10 days after Bastille Day. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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

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

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

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

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