Gaby Morlay Movies
French actress Gaby Morlay starred in many silent and sound films in France. By the 1940s, she had become a character actress. She was born Blanche Fumoleau to French parents in Biskra, Algeria. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- 1940
The English-language title of this stagebound French drama is They Were Twelve Women. The eponymous leading ladies run the full gamut age-wise, from twentysomething Micheline Presle to fiftyish Francoise Rosay. The story concerns the efforts of a dozen females from various walks of life to contribute to the war effort, renting a communal home for this purpose. The expected cultural clashes break out, most notably a war of words and wills between aristocratic Rosay and "loose woman" Gaby Morlay, but in the end all 12 women are solidly united in a common cause. Though it can't be proven, it is quite possible that Elles Etaient Douze Femmes was one of the principal inspirations for the American novel (and subsequent film) Tender Comrade. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Gaby Morlay, Françoise Rosay, (more)
- 1940
In this French drama, based on a story by Tolstoy, the public prosecutor decides to sacrifice himself so that his wife can be freed to be with the man she really loves. Just as he is about ready to kill himself, someone saves him. He then opts to become a soldier. The villagers do not know this and assume that he has been killed by his wife. She, now engaged to the lover, is arrested. When he later reappears, the philandering female begs that he return, but he ignores her pleas and walks away. She then swears to wait for him. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Victor Francen, Gaby Morlay, (more)
- 1939
Entente Cordiale was adapted from Andre Maurois' Edward VII and his Times. Victor Francen heads the cast as Britain's Prince Edward, who after assuming the throne of England in 1910 strives to bring about a lasting peaceful coexistence between the United Kingdom and France. Both countries are treated with equal respect throughout the film, depicted as intelligent nations willing to avoid war at all costs, but not quite as willing to give up national pride; the infamous Fashoda Incident, which almost resulted in full-scale warfare between Britain and France, is the film's central issue. Scores of historical personages make fleeting cameo appearances, including Queen Victoria (played by Gaby Morlay), Lord Kitchener (Jean d'Yd), French president Loubet (Jean Perrier), Clemenceau (Jacques Baumer) and Lord Balfour (Andre Roanne). Not surprisingly, Entente Cordiale was produced and released at a time when France and England were seriously contemplating a united front against future Nazi incursions into Europe. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Gaby Morlay, Janine Darcey, (more)
- 1939
Per its title, the all-star Derriere la Facade (Behind the Facade) exposes the truth about a group of supposedly respectable citizens. Enraged that his jurist father is keeping a blowzy mistress, the judge's son heads into the Parisian "demimonde" to set things right. In short order, the mistress is murdered and the son is accused of the crime. A pair of ambitious police detectives think that there's more to the case than meets the eyes, as indeed there is. Characters essential to the action include a naïve young soldier, a nimble-fingered card sharp, a sinister knife thrower and a slimy gigolo. Oh yes, Erich von Stroheim is also on hand for intermittent moments of menace. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Gaby Morlay, Elvire Popesco, (more)
- 1939
Le Bois Sacre (Sacred Woods) was adapted from the play of the same name by Robert de Fiers and A. de Caillavet. Elvire Popesco stars as popular novelist Mme. Margerie, who is put out when she is not nominated for the Legion of Honor award. One of the judges, M. Champmorel (Andre Lefaur) offers to put her name in competition in exchange for a few? um?favors, but Margerie will have none of this. However, she isn't above encouraging the romance between her own husband (Victor Boucher) and Champmorel's wife (Gaby Morlay) as a method of earning the coveted prize. Marcel Dalio contributes another sparkling cameo as Mme. Champmorel's former lover, a flamboyant Russian ballet master. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Elvire Popesco, Gaby Morlay, (more)
- 1938
Giuseppe Verdi was also released as The Life of Verdi for the benefit of filmgoers who had trouble grasping the obvious. Fosco Giachetti stars as the title character, aging nearly 30 years in the course of the film. The story begins when the teenaged Verdi leaves his hometown behind to study music in Milan, only to face rejection from the school's hide-bound board of directors. He is forced to endure several subsequent setbacks until he is helped along the road to success by sympathetic opera diva Giuseppina (Gaby Morlay), whom he eventually marries. An amusing later moment finds Verdi and a pompous tenor (Beniamino Gigli) rehearsing the La Donna e Mobile aria from Rigoletto, all the while attempting to keep this composition secret from potential music thieves. The film ends with the triumphant premiere of Aida in Egypt, in commemoration of the opening of the Suez Canal. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Fosco Giachetti, Germana Paolieri, (more)
- 1938
It is likely that no Leo Tolstoy story has been filmed as often as his Kreutzer Sonata. This 1938 French version stars Jean Yonnel as Pozdnycheff, who suspects that his beloved wife Helene (Gaby Morlay) is carrying on an affair with world-renowned concert violinist Toukhatchevsky (Jacques Erwin). His jealousy leads to attempted murder, which in turn leads to profound remorse when Pozdnycheff learns that he's acted way too rashly, and without full possession of the facts. Unlike most adaptations of the Tolstoy yarn, this one has a happy ending, which looks as though it was tacked on at the very last minute. In keeping with the film's title, the musical score is almost exclusively comprised of Beethoven compositions. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Gaby Morlay, Jean Yonnel, (more)
- 1937
Le Messager was the fourth directorial effort for prominent Gallic actor Raymond Rouleau. Adapted from a play by Henry Bernstein, the story comes to life when wealthy Englishwoman Betty Rowe is deserted by her French husband Jean Gabin in favor of his secretary Gaby Morlay. In "hell hath no fury" fashion, Rowe uses her influence to ruin Gabin financially. He is forced to flee to Africa, leaving Morlay behind in Paris. Setting up a prosperous business concern, Gabin goes into partnership with handsome Jean-Pierre Aumont. Waxing rhapsodic about his new wife Morlay, Gabin unwittingly causes Aumont to fall in love with her, sight unseen. And then, he does see her, leaving the luckless Gabin in the lurch once more. A tragic plot twist enables Gabin to stage a reunion with Morlay, though at least one of them is not too happy about it. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Gaby Morlay, Jean Gabin, (more)
- 1937
Horse-faced Gallic comedian Fernandel plays Hercule in this tailor-made vehicle. Our hero is a somewhat simple-minded provincial lad, at large in wicked old Paris. Somehow, Hercule finds success in the world of newspaper journalism, where his talents are exploited by a crooked advertising executive (Jules Berry). Fortunately, Hercule can always depend upon the help and support of his secretary (Gaby Morlay) and her reporter boyfriend (Pierre Brasseur). Hercule was but one of seven Fernandel films to hit the screens in 1937. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Gaby Morlay, Nane Germon, (more)
- 1936
Sampson was the second of filmmaker Maurice Tourneur's three cinematic contributions to the calendar year 1936. Based on a play by Henry Bernstein, the film stars Harry Baur as ruthless stock-market manipulator Jacques Branchart. Feared by his enemies and mistrusted by his friends, Branchart hopes nonetheless to win the love of the beautiful Anne-Marie d'Andeline (Gaby Morlay). When she spurns him in favor of his business-rival Jerome le Govain (Andre Luguet), Branchart vengefully sets about to destroy Le Govain financially -- and in the process, destroys himself. Incredibly, Branchart comes out ahead romantically at the end, though it's a pyrrhic victory at best. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Gaby Morlay, Gabrielle Dorziat, (more)
- 1936
Though its title translates literally as The Terrible Lovers, this French romantic comedy is actual an adaptation of Noel Coward's urbane and witty Private Lives (previously filmed by MGM in 1931). Gaby Morlay and Andre Luget star as sophisticated married couple Annette and Daniel, who remain in love despite their acrimonious relationship and eventual divorce. On the rebound, Annette marries stuffy Henri (Victor Lambert), while Daniel weds scatterbrained Lucie (Marie Glory). As luck would have it, Annette and Daniel end up in adjoining hotel suites while on their respective honeymoons. It is inevitable that the two will reunite, but getting there is half the fun. One would love to hear the French translations of such Coward bon mots as "You're looking lovely in this damned moonlight" and "Some women should be struck regularly, like gongs." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Gaby Morlay, André Luguet, (more)
- 1936
Filmed two years before the Nazi takeover of France, The King (Le Roi) made its way to the U.S. in 1941. Victor Francen plays the title character, a playboy regent who goes out for a night on the town during a visit to Paris. In the course of the evening's revelry, Francen enjoys a brief fling with gorgeous Gaby Morlay -- who happens to be the mistress of the king's host, cabinet minister Raimu. Though enraged at being cuckolded, Raimu tries to honor the usual proprieties of protocol and class distinctions, with amusing results. Like many late-1930s films, The King was obviously inspired by the pre-abdication shenanigans of the Prince of Wales. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Gaby Morlay, Elvire Popesco, (more)
- 1935
Released in English-speaking countries as Happiness, Le Bonheur was based on a play by Henry Bernstein. Charles Boyer stars as a fervent anarchist who vows to kill anyone who represents "the establishment." As a result, he ends up shooting idolized music-hall singer Gaby Morlay in full view of her audience. After this unpromising start, Boyer and Morlay get to know each other, eventually falling in love. At his attempted-murder trial, Morlay offers to testify on Boyer's behalf -- but he refuses, determined to become a martyr to his cause. Things work out in a most unexpected fashion in this offbeat romance, released in the U.S. in 1935 to capitalize on Boyer's burgeoning American popularity. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Gaby Morlay, Paulette Dubost, (more)
Rating Systems
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