Colette Darfeuil Movies
- 1931
This British production was the final film of writer/producer/director Rex Ingram, who also stars; his wife Alice Terry assisted him as co-director. André Duval (Ingram) and Si Hamed (Pierre Batcheff) are both sergeants in the Spahis, the corps of Algerian native cavalry in the French Army. Duval falls in love with Si Hamed's sister Zinah (Rosita Garcia), even though an infidel's attentions to her can lead to his death. Zinah's father, Si Allal (Felipe Montes), is a Berber chieftan battling the bandit Si Amarok (Andrews Engelmann), who lusts after Zinah and plans to betray Si Allal. The Spahis defend him against the bandits, and Duval and Zinah come to terms with their feelings. When the Spahis leave, he is with them as she waves goodbye. Released in the U.S. in a 74-minute version called Love in Morocco, Baroud was also shot in a French-language version, with Duval and Zinah played by Roland Caillaux and Colette Darfeuil. ~ Nicole Gagne, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rosita Garcia, Colette Darfeuil, (more)
- 1937
This lightning-paced actioner is based on a popular series of French pulp novels. His somewhat effeminate moniker notwithstanding, Cheri-Bibi (Pierre Fresnay) is a two-fisted he-man gangster, albeit with a heart of gold. Sentenced to life imprisonment in a brutal French penal colony, Cheri-Bibi befriends wastrelly first offender Palas (Jean-Pierre Aumont), helping the boy to survive life behind bars. Also on hand is the matchless Marcel Dalio as a philosophical convict known as "The Giver." Dialogue is at a minimum: this is one instance where actions definitely speak louder than words. The original story for Cheri-Bibi was written by Gaston Leroux, of Phantom of the Opera fame. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Suzet Mais, Colette Darfeuil, (more)
- 1952
Une Filled au Fouet translates to The Girl with the Whip, which alone was enough to pack 'em in back in 1952. French audiences were treated to a extra added attraction denied most American filmgoers: the title character, a lass named Pietro (Veronique Deschamps), at one point cavorts around in the nude. The daughter of a notorious smuggler, Pietro is raised as a boy by her adoptive mother. The "young man" is befriended by young mountain-climber Calixe (Michel Barbey), who is in for quite an education when he spots Pietro in her birthday suit. Though given top billing, Gallic film favorites Michel Simon and Gaby Morlays are both out of the proceedings by the fourth reel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michel Simon, Gaby Morlay, (more)
- 1931
Never one to do anything by halves, director Abel Gance delivers just what the title La Fin du Monde promises: The End of the World. As a comet speeds along on a collision course with Planet Earth, the world prays for a miracle. Scientist Victor Francen races against time to avoid the cataclysm, while Francen's religious-fanatic brother (played by director Gance) puts his fate in the hands of God. Meanwhile, the governments of the world adopt near-fascistic methods to keep their panicking minions under control. Once all hope is abandoned, virtually all of civilization degenerates into a drunken orgy, replete with rape and bestiality. The worst is reserved for last, as the ever-approaching comet causes a plethora of natural disasters before the final "Big Bang." For its premiere engagements in 1929, La Fin du Monde was outfitted with a primitive but effective stereophonic-sound system, the aural equivalent to Abel Gance's Cinerama-like "Triptychs" in his 1927 masterpiece Napoleon. With his typical flair for the messianic, Gance originally released his film as Abel Gance's La Fin du Monde. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Colette Darfeuil, Abel Gance, (more)
