Constant Remy Movies
- 1954
Sacha Guitry's Si Versailles M'Etait Conte (If Versailles Were Told to Me) is best known by its American title Royal Affairs in Versailles. In addtion to writing and directed the film, Guitry reserves for himself the plum role of Louis XIV. Concentrating on the palace of Versailles over a period of 300 years, the storyline concentrates on the various amorous and political intrigues of three French kings. The plot manages to wend its way through the French revolution, coming to a halt in "the present". The star-studded supporting cast includes Jean Marais as Louis XV, Claudette Colbert as Mme. Montespan, Micheline Presle as Mme. Pompadour, and, best of all, Orson Welles as a gouty Ben Franklin. Most currently available prints of Si Versailles M'Etait Conte are severely edited, and fail to do justice to the rich Eastmancolor hues of the original version. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sacha Guitry, Michel Auclair, (more)
- 1946
French "underground" films were as common as the measles in 1946. Among the better efforts was Les Clandestins, directed with realism and conviction by Andre Chotin. A romantic subplot involving two resistance fighters can be forgotten; the film's strong suit is its vivid recreations of the horrors and deprivations suffered by the French under Nazi domination. Particularly heart-wrenching is the ordeal of a philosophical Jewish doctor, played by Samson Fainsilber. Commendably, the Nazis are not depicted as caricatures; their matter-of-fact behavior while committing the most heinous of atrocities is far more frightening because of its "normalcy". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Georges Rollin, Samson Fainsilber, (more)
- 1938
French stage favorite Lya Gauty made her screen debut in 1938's La Goualeuse (The Street Singer). The story concerns a poverty-stricken vagabond (Jean Martinelli) who supports himself by singing for pennies in a rough section of town. Only the local barkeeper knows that the vagabond is actually the illegitimate son of a prosperous and highly respected banker (Constant Remy). One would think that the film's dramatic climax would consist of a tearful reunion between father and son. Instead, this scene occurs in the middle of the picture; the rest of the film is a melodramatic melange of high emotionalism and low melodrama, culminating in the boy's suicide. Though billed first, Lya Gauty has an almost peripheral role as the hero's long-suffering sweetheart who sings at the drop of a hat and frequently brings her own hat. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marguerite Pierry, Constant Remy, (more)
- 1937
Director Felix Gadera also scripted this cinemadaptation of Eugene Sue's steamy novel Les Mysteres de Paris. Henri Rolan stars as Count Rodolphe, who while slumming in the "Thieves Quarter" of Paris makes the acquaintance of pretty Marie (Madeleine Ozeray). The Count falls in love with the girl, never suspecting that she is actually his illegitimate daughter. He later rescues her from a kidnapper, subjecting himself to all sorts of slimy horrors in the Parisian sewers. Once he learns Marie's true identity, the Count "does right" by the girl, while Marie's mother (Lucienne La Marchand), who turns out to be the villain of the piece, skulks away into the darkness. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Madeleine Ozeray, Henri Rollan, (more)
- 1937
Les Petits translates colloquially as "Youngsters," a reference to pre-teen protagonists E. Roncier and C. Borrelli. Placed in a boarding school by his insensitive father, young Roncier forms a strong bond with female schoolmate Borelli. The kids' innocent relationship is unfortunately misinterpreted by a dirty-minded school supervisor. Returned to his father in disgrace, Roncier runs away, hoping to be reunited with Borelli, the only person in the world who truly cares for him. Finally, dad comes to his senses, blesses his son's platonic friendship, and promises to be a better father from here on in -- but only after agonizing over the possibility that the boy has accidentally drowned. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alice Tissot, Constant Remy, (more)
- 1936
Its title translates as Record 413, but Disque 413 is actually the French-language version of the British Guilty Melody. Singing star Gitta Alper repeats her role as opera diva La Salvini, who falls in love with British intelligence agent Richard Maury (Jules Berry, replacing the English version's John Loder). She is confronted by her despicable husband (Larquery), who threatens to ruin her career unless La Salvini does his bidding. He forces her to make a phonograph record containing a secret code message intended for the Enemy. For a while, the British secret service think that our heroine is a musical Mata Hari, but all is set right in the final moments. Both Guilty Melody and Disque 13 are based on a novel by Hans Rehfisch. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gitta Alpar, Gaby Basset, (more)
- 1936
Helene is based on Helene Wilfur, a novel by Vicki (Grand Hotel) Baum. Madeleine Renaud essays the title role, a young medical student in love with aspiring musician Pierre Regnier (Jean-Lous Barrault). Pierre's father, a noted surgeon, puts pressure on his son to give up music in favor of medicine. Unable to withstand his father's remonstrations, Pierre kills himself, prompting the grieving Madeleine to forget all about romance and dedicate her life to the cause of healing others. Wilfur avoids the usual soap-opera goo by offering realistic performances and credible dialogue (the English-language subtitles were composed by erudite film critic Herman G. Weinberg). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Madeleine Renaud, Helena Manson, (more)
- 1933
The French La Rue Sans Nom (Street Without A Name) was officially based on a novel by Marcel Ayme. In style and substance, however, it more closely resembled G. W. Pabst's 1925 silent classic The Joyless Street. The setting is a sordid Parisian neighborhood, rife with crime and corruption. Into this cesspool steps the heroine, whose beauty drives the local male population wild. As it turns out, her beauty is a curse, bringing even more tragedy and deprivation upon the already blighted neighborhood. La Rue Sans Nom was the second directorial effort by Pierre Chenal, who went on to helm such melodramatic masterpieces as Crime and Punishment (1935) and L'Alibi (1937). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Pola Illery, Constant Remy, (more)
- 1933
The title translates as A Naked Woman, which, in a sense, sums up the character played by the beautiful Florette. A successful artist's model, Lolette (Florette) quits her job when she weds promising young painter Bernier (R. Rouleau). No sooner has he become successful than Bernier begins cheating on Lolette with another woman. On the verge of killing herself, Lolette is rescued by her former sweetheart Rouchard (Constant Remy). Made several years before its American release, La Femme Nue promised a great deal more than it delivered. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Raymond Rouleau
