Pierre Larquey Movies
- 1935
Un Oiseau Rare (Rare Bird) is a wide-ranging satire of several mid-1930s aberrations, including giveaway contests, advertising campaigns and pretentious summer resorts. In a virtual repeat of his role in Rene Clair's Last Billionaire, Max Dearly plays Melleville, an eccentric millionaire who wants to find out how those less fortunate than himself muddle through life. Disguising himself as an impoverished contest winner, Melleville signs in at a fancy hotel. Meanwhile, the actual winner, impecunious Jean Berthier (Pierre Brasseur), also shows up at the hotel, where through a series of silly misunderstandings he's assumed to be the wealthy Melleville. The mistaken-identity angle is played to the hilt, with both Melleville and Berthier learning a lot of life's lessons the hard way. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Max Dearly, Pierre Brasseur, (more)
- 1935
Based on a novel by Charles Robert Dumas, Deuxieme Bureau is another espionager of the "Mata Hari" and "Fraulein Doktor" school. Vera Korine stars as Erna Flieder, notorious female spy of the WWI era. Though she seemingly has ice water in her veins, Erna forgets all about her mission in life when she falls in love with her AEF adversary Captain Benoit (Jean Murat). In time-honored tradition, our heroine ultimately lays down her own life to save Benoit from harm. Reviewers in 1935 felt that the film was stolen by Pierre Larquey in the supporting role of Benoit's adjutant. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Viviane Romance, Jean Murat, (more)
Zou Zou is one of a handful of French musical films made by the flamboyant African-American entertainer Josephine Baker. The star plays a Creole laundress who becomes an overnight stage success when she subs for a tempestuous diva. She goes on to experience the requisite professional highs and personal lows, and to briefly enjoy the attentions of French matinée idol Jean (Jean Gabin). La Baker's costumes reveal virtually everything but what she's eaten for breakfast, and her dancing is just a step away from obscenely erotic. In short, the film represents Josephine Baker at her outrageous best, making this film a must for fans and casual admirers alike. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Josephine Baker, Yvette Lebon, (more)
