Rolla Norman Movies
- 1932
A novel by the prolific (to say the least) Georges Simenon was the source for Le Chien Jaune (The Yellow Dog). Set in the tiny port city of Concarneau, the story concerns a dishonest doctor who supports himself as a bootlegger. After double-crossing his partners, the doctor plans a quick escape, but is forced to commit murder in the process. Rosine Derean is literally a rose among the thorns in the role of a hotel servant girl. The detective in the case is played by Abel Tarride, the father of director Jean Tarride (nepotism was not merely confined to Hollywood!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rosine Derean, Rolla Norman, (more)
- 1932
Filmed by Paramount's Paris facilities in 1932, Une Etoile Disparait (A Star Vanishes) was not released in the U.S. until 1934. A murder mystery set in a film studio, this fast-paced meller stars Suzy Vernon as Rosine, an American gal trying to break into pictures. Rosine finds herself one of several murder suspects, all of them well-fortified with motive and opportunity. To keep the audience alert, a number of prominent (and unbilled) French film favorites make cameo appearances. Une Etoile Disparait was directed by Robert Wyler, brother of celebrated American filmmaker William Wyler. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Suzy Vernon, Constant Remy, (more)
- 1932
Quand on Est Belle (When She's Pretty) is the French-language version of the MGM drama The Easiest Way. Lily Damita takes over from Constance Bennett in the role of Laura, a poor-but-proud department store clerk. Discovered by a commercial artist, Laura lands a job as a model, and before long she's the mistress of model-agency owner Brockton (Andre Luguet). She uses the money lavished on her to support her family, but eventually they turn on her, considering the money "tainted" and her method of getting it immoral. Rejected by her loved ones, Laura leaves for Argentina, where she inaugurates a romance with wealthy rancher Johnny (Rolla Norman) Their marriages plans are interrupted when a group of insurgents threaten to topple the government. Separated from Johnny, Laura promises to wait for him until the trouble blows over, but before long she's back with Brockton again. Several devastating setbacks later, poor Laura finds herself walking the streets, still looking for love in all the wrong places. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lili Damita, Mona Goya, (more)
- 1931
Based on the stage comedy The Hottentot (filmed under that title in 1928), L'Aviateur is the French-language version of the 1930 Hollywood production The Aviator. The original film starred Edward Everett Horton as Robin Street, the author of a book on aviation who's forced to pose as a pilot, even though he's terrified of heights. Taking over in Horton's role is Douglas Fairbanks Jr., who speaks French like a native, even though comedically he isn't quite in Horton's league. The slapstick-comedy plane race finale is lifted almost verbatim from The Aviator, with newly filmed close-ups of Fairbanks. Director Jean Daumery does an able job matching the style and pace of Aviator helmsman Roy Del Ruth. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeanne Helbling, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., (more)
- 1930
In 1930, audiences saw three different versions of the George Kibbe Turner gangster novel Those Who Dance, each filmed in a different language. The English version starred Monte Blue and Lila Lee; the German version, Der Tanz Geht Weiter top-billed William Dieterle and Lissi Arna; and the French version, Contre-Enquete, featured Daniel Mendale and Suzy Vernon in the leading roles. In all three instances, the plot remained the same, with undercover cop Dan Hogan (Blue, Dieterle, Mendale) hoping to find out who was responsible for the murder of his younger brother. To get the goods on the killer, Hogan poses as a crook and joins a gangster mob. This he does as much for himself as for heroine Nora Brady (Lee, Arna, Vernon), whose brother has been falsely convicted of the murder. In addition to the three talkie adaptations of the Turner original, Those Who Dance was previously filmed in 1924. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Suzy Vernon, Jeanne Helbling, (more)
- 1925
Gribiche, a 1925 French production written and directed by Jacques Feyder, was distributed in America three years later under the title Mother of Mine. Directed and designed in what has been described as an "art deco" style, the film showcased the matchless Francoise Rosay in her first important screen role. The story focuses on a miserably unhappy young boy who despises his stepmother and stepsister. The only thing the boy holds dear is the memory of his late mother, at whose grave he frequently worships and reflects. These melodramatic goings-on are laid against the spectacular tapestry of the Swiss Alps -- which, in the minds of some American reviewers, were more fascinating than the story itself. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Françoise Rosay, Henry Duval, (more)
