Georges Lannes Movies

Blonde French sex symbol Martine Carol is incongruously cast as the title character in Lucrece Borgia. The bloody excesses of the incestuous Borgia family during the Renaissance are given ample screen time, albeit within the bounds of reasonably good taste. Mexico's Pedro Armendariz struts and frets as the cruelly ambitious Cesar Borgia, who forces his sister Lucrece into a marriage of convenience. Depicted with historical accuracy as a relatively innocent victim of circumstance, Lucrece never utilizes poison as a weapon in the course of the film, though she does manage to inflict bodily injury on Cesar when the latter threatens her romance with the handsome Aragon (Massimo Serato). The highlight of Lucrece Borgia was Martine Carol's nude bathing scene, only a portion of which made it to American theatre screens. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Moulin Rouge is the story of 19th century French artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, portrayed by José Ferrer. The film records his frustration over his physical handicap (the growth in his legs was stunted by a childhood accident), his efforts to "lose" himself in Paris' bawdy Montmartre district, and his career as a painter, which brought him money only when he turned out advertising posters--but what posters! Toulouse-Lautrec's drinking and debauchery lead to his early death, which in the hands of director John Huston is staged (brilliantly) in the manner of a musical comedy finale. This is the film in which Zsa Zsa Gabor actually acts, in the role of demimonde entertainer Jane Avril. As a bonus, the film's musical score (by Georges Auric) managed to hit the Top Ten charts in the U.S. When this immensely successful film was released to television in the late '50s, Moulin Rouge proved to be one of the strongest-ever incentives to purchase a color TV set. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Nous Irons a Paris is a gentle but pointed satire of the government-controlled French radio industry. Fired from his singing job, hero Jacques (Phillipe Lemaire) sets up a "pirate" radio station with the help of a few friends. Before long, Jacques' illegal broadcast facility gains enormous popularity, as well as the vindictive scrutiny of the French Radio Administration. Fortunately, Jacques and his cronies always manage to stay one step ahead of the authorities -- at least until they set up shop on an old barge. All ends happily for everyone concerned, especially Jacques and his lady love Micheline (Francoise Arnoul). Enhancing the box-office appeal of Nous Irons a Paris is the presence of several surprise guest stars, ranging from Gallic favorite Martine Carol to Hollywood's George Raft! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Le Collier de la Reine (The Queen's Necklace) was based on the Alexandre Dumas yarn of the same name. Countess Jeanne de la Mote (Marcelle Favel-Chantel) impulsively decides to purloin a necklace owned by Queen Marie Antoinette (Diana Karenne). Part of her scheme is to hire a Parisian prostitute named Olivia, who happens to be an exact double of the Queen (and who also happens to be played by Diana Karenne). The outcome of the plot hinges on a packet of forged love letters. Why the Countess goes to all this trouble is never made clear, at least not in the version made available to American audiences. A silent picture, Le Collier de La Reine was released with an additional five-minute talkie sequence. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide