Marcel Herrand Movies

Barbara Laage plays the title role in the ironic French drama The Respectful Prostitute. No one considers Lizzie (Ms. Laage) particularly respectful until one of her clients is accused of a crime. Summoned to court, Lizzie perjures herself, hoping to become socially respectable-and in so doing, she betrays her black lover. In the end, Lizzie has nothing to show for her "grand gesture". Originally titled La Putain Respecteuse, the film was adapted from a 1946 play by Jean-Paul Sartre. Now all but forgotten, The Respectful Prostitute was a runner-up in the "best picture" category at the 1952 Venice Film Festival. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Pas De Pitie Pour Les Femmes is a tricky French-filmed murder mystery. It is so tricky, in fact, that it defied the efforts by contemporary reviewers to synopsize the plot! Most observers agreed on this much: At stake in the proceedings is a vast inheritance, fought over by a group of remarkably unsympathetic stock characters. Michel Auclair and Simone Renant head the stellar cast. Director Christian Stengel seemed more interested in his villainous characters than in simply telling the story at hand. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Based on the novel by Victor Hugo, Ruy Blas was adapted for the screen by no less than Jean Cocteau. The title character, played by Jean Marais, is a dashing nobleman-turned-bandit operating in 17th century Spain ("played" by France and Italy). Marais is also seen as a bookish student who happens to bear a striking resemblance to Ruy Blas. Top-billed as the Queen of Spain is Danielle Darrieux, making her film comeback after weathering accusations of collaboration during WW2. A long and frequently verbose film, Ruy Blas delivers the goods and more during the action highlights and love scenes. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Il Fiacre N. 13 is based on the novel of the same name by Xavier Montepin. The title translates as Cab No. 13, and the two-part story ("Il Castigo" and "Delitto") concerns the various amorous occupants of that cab. Several of the leading actors essay multiple roles to detail the intrigues arising from the many furtive glances, stolen kisses, and forbidden assignations. The film didn't do too well when first released in Italy but had better luck in South America. A French-language version of Il Fiacre N. 13 was lensed simultaneously, with some of the same cast members. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Etoile Sans Lumiere (Star Without Light) represents a rare screen appearance by French singing sensation Edith Piaf. The plot is something of a predecessor to Hollywood's Singin' in the Rain (1952), albeit with a less happy denouement. Piaf plays an aspiring singer who tries to break into films during the early talkie era. She is hired to dub the singing and speaking voice of a silent-movie favorite (Mila Parely). Sworn to secrecy, the fill-in must stand by in silence as the star receives all the praises and plaudits. When the truth is revealed, the result is disastrous for everyone concerned. Etoile Sans Lumiere is chiefly memorable as the screen debut of Edith Piaf's protégé Yves Montand. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Even in 1945, Marcel Carné's Children of Paradise was regarded as an old-fashioned film. Set in the Parisian theatrical world of the 1840s, Jacques Prévert's screenplay concerns four men in love with the mysterious Garance (Arletty). Each loves Garance in his own fashion, but only the intentions of sensitive mime-actor Deburau (Jean-Louis Barrault) are entirely honorable; as a result, it is he who suffers most, hurdling one obstacle after another in pursuit of an evidently unattainable goal. In the stylized fashion of 19th-century French drama, many grand passions are spent during the film's totally absorbing 195 minutes. The film was produced under overwhelmingly difficult circumstances during the Nazi occupation of France, and many of the participants/creators were members of the Maquis, so the movie's existence itself is somewhat miraculous. Children of Paradise has gone on to become one of the great romantic classics of international cinema. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi