Rene Lefebvre Movies
- 1933
Les Cinq Gentlemen Maudits (The Five Accursed Gentlemen), Julien Duvivier's second talkie, was also the second in a series of five box-office hits for the prolific director. The scene is Morocco, where a local soothsayer predicts the death of five men. After three of the "cursed" quintet die under mysterious circumstances, the focus shifts on the fourth, millionaire Harry Baur. It is up to wealthy young Rene Lefevbre, the boyfriend of Baur's niece Rosine Derean, to save his future uncle-in-law from harm -- and to sift out the truth behind the three previous deaths. Like many French films of the era, Les Cinq Gentlemen Maudits is rife with "plugs" for various advertisers, notably a well-known Parisian interior decorating firm. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rene Lefebvre, Rosine Derean, (more)
- 1932
Monsieur, Madame et Bibi is the French-language version of the German comedy Ein Bischen Liebe. Jean Dax plays an American auto manufacturer who heads to Vienna on business. Presuming that the Austrian capital is the most romantic and enchanting place on earth, Dax is mildly taken aback to discover that Vienna isn't all that different from his own hometown. Comic complications ensue when Dax falls in love with the wife of his business manager, assuming that the woman is an unmarried secretary ("Bibi", incidentally, is not the name of the heroine, but instead the heroine's pet dog). Like Ein Bischen Liebe, Monsieur, Madame et Bibi is based on the stage farce Business in America. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marie Glory, René Lefèvre, (more)
- 1931
Flower-shop owner Clo-Clo (Michel Simon) is known to his friends as "Jean de la Lune" ("Moondreaming John") because he fantasizes about remaking the world to his own specifications. Falling in love with Marceline (Madeline Renaud), a girl who's "been around," Clo-Clo idealizes his sweetheart, blinding himself to her many faults. At first, Marceline laughs at Clo-Clo behind his back but eventually is so touched by his wistful sincerity that she falls genuinely in love with him. Based on a play by Marcel Achard, Jean de la Lune is treated in a frank, realistic manner. This serves to make the happy ending, in which Clo-Clo's "moondreaming" comes true, all the more powerful. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Madeleine Renaud, Suzet Mais, (more)
- 1931
Victor de Fleury (Rene Lefebvre), a handsome young nobleman, has fallen upon hard times. Victor is hired by wealthy but uneducated industrialist Edgar Flachon (Pierre Brasseur), who is in love with an aristocratic young lady (Alice Ael). Feeling inadequate in his sweetheart's presence, Edgar requests that Victor accompany him to the girl's family's home for a weekend party. No, Victor is not to teach Edgar the proper social graces: His assignment is to behave in such a cloddish manner that Edgar will seem to be a prize catch in comparison. Given this premise, is it any surprise who the girl eventually ends up with? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Pierre Brasseur, Gabrielle Fontan, (more)
- 1930
Chemin de Paradis (Road to Paradise) is the French-language version of the incredibly successful German musical comedy Die Drei von der Tankstelle, with Lillian Harvey repeating her role as flirtatious young heiress Liliane. The plot still revolves around three young men who try to square their mountain debts by opening a roadside gas station. Unbeknownst to the other two, each of the three heroes falls madly in love with Liliane, their best customer. The heroine reciprocates by arranging for her wealthy father to organize a huge gas company, thereby guaranteeing the long-range profitability of the gas station. The boys aren't happy to be beholden to Liliane, but one of them swallows his pride long enough to marry the girl. For the benefit of Lilian Harvey's Gallic fans, Chemin de Paradis includes several revue-like musical numbers not seen in the original German version. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lilian Harvey, Henri Garat, (more)
