Hélène Perdrière Movies
One of Luis Buñuel's most episodic films, The Phantom of Liberty focuses on no one particular narrative. In the beginning, a man sells postcards of French tourist attractions, calling them "pornographic." A sniper in Montparnasse is hailed as a hero for killing passersby. A "missing" child helps the police fill out the report on her. A group of monks play poker, using religious medallions as chips, and in the most infamous sequence, a formally dressed social group gathers at toilets around a table, occasionally excusing themselves to go into little stalls in a private room to eat. ~ John Voorhees, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean-Claude Brialy, Monica Vitti, (more)
- 1956
Si Tous Les Gars du Monde is an entertaining tribute to the ham radio operators of the world. The story begins when a French shipping boat takes on an Arab passenger. While on the high seas, the Arab becomes seriously ill with a communicable disease that threatens the lives of everyone on board. Unable to reach the proper medical authorities, the boat sends out a desperate S.O.S., whereupon several amateur-radio enthusiasts of different nationalities spring into action. Directed and co-scripted by noted filmmaker Christian-Jacque, Si Tous les Gars du Monde is more familiar to Late Late Show devotees under its English-language title, If All the Guys in the World ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean-Louis Trintignant, André Valmy, (more)
- 1951
Previously filmed twice in 1933, Marcel Pagnol's satirical stage comedy Topaze was again adapted to the screen in 1936, this time with Pagnol himself as director (he would have directed the first version, but was contractually prohibited from doing so). This time around, Arnaudy stars as M. Topaze, the incorruptible schoolteacher who loses his job when he refuses to pass the unruly son of a wealthy and powerful businessman. Topaze decides to apply his intelligence and integrity to the world of business, only to discover that he's as susceptible to corruption as the next man. But though he loses his "soul," he gains the love of the beautiful mistress (Delia-Col) of his ex-business partner. Pagnol later directed the fourth version of Topaze in 1951, this one starring Fernandel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Fernandel, Hélène Perdrière, (more)
- 1948
This Christian-Jaque production was originally released in France as D'Homme a Hommes. Told in flashback, this is the story of 19th-century humanitarian Henri Dunant, who, appalled by the slaughter in the Battle of Solferino, organizes the International Red Cross. Opposed at every turn by the military powers-that-be, Dunant finally triumphs over chauvinism, stupidity and ignorance. Jean Louis Barrault stars as Dunant, while Bernard Blier fulfills the usual "best friend/severest critic" obligations. The Man to Men is at its best in the battle scenes, some of the most disturbingly realistic of their kind. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean-Louis Barrault, Bernard Blier, (more)
- 1947
Road Block is the symbolic English-language title of this French crime drama. Claude Dauphin plays a respected architect who inadvertently becomes a murderer. Covering his tracks, Dauphin is able for a while to elude the law, but he can't escape the "inner voices" of his conscience. Still, he insists upon hiding his crime from the one person who would truly understand, his sweetheart Helene Perdiere. Ironically, when she finds out the truth, she walks out on Dauphin because he didn't trust her. Relentlessly defeatist, Route Sans Issue understandably had trouble finding an American distributor. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hélène Perdrière, Gisele Casadesus, (more)
- 1945
Raymond Rouleau stars in Le Couple Ideal as a French movie leading man, circa 1912. Slated to appear at a gala for President Armand Falieres, Rouleau is detained by the police at the behest of a scheming producer. To escape the clutches of the law and make it to the celebration on time, our hero is forced to adopt a series of clever disguises. Helene Perdiere costars as a "Perils of Pauline"-type actress who ends up in Rouleau's arms. As a lampoon of the early silent era, Le Couple Ideal is not quite as memorable as Rene Clair's Le Silence C'est D'Or. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Simone Signoret, Hélène Perdrière, (more)
- 1945
Director Maurice Cloche's sole cinematic contribution of 1946 was Jeux de Femmes. Jacques Dumesnil stars as a carefree young man, living in exquisite sin with the lovely Mila Parely. But upon learning that his rich uncle will cut him out of his will if he doesn't marry, Dumesnil frantically searches about for an appropriate wife, leaving Parely in the lurch (which doesn't seem to bother her too much). Our hero's friends publicize Dumesnil's impending marriage to Helen Perdiere, who supposedly has been provided as an "instant wife" by an employment agent. Naturally, boy and girl fall in love on their own, without his friends' well-meaning intervention. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hélène Perdrière, Mila Parély, (more)
- 1932
Made in Germany, La Foule Hurle is the French-language version of the 1932 Warner Bros. actioner The Crowd Roars. The plot remains the same, with a cocky young race-car driver juggling the affections of several women at once. When his kid brother decides to enter the racing game as well, the hero does everything he can to discourage the boy, leading to a deadly motorized showdown during the climactic Big Race. Jean Gabin stars in the leading role originally essayed by James Cagney. At least 75 percent of the footage in La Foule Hurle was lifted from The Crowd Roars, with no credit bestowed upon director Howard Hawks. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hélène Perdrière, Jean Gabin, (more)
- 1930
The title of this French comedy can be liberally translated as Champion Gate Crasher. This dubious honor has been bestowed upon the publicity-seeking hero, played by Gallic vaudeville artist Milton. A humble street singer, Milton strives to improve his lot in life by crashing virtually every major social event that comes his way. While sitting in a fancy restaurant enjoying a meal which he can't possibly afford, Milton makes the acquaintance of fetching damsels Helen Perdriere and Helene Robert. The two ladies are crazy about sports, so Milton obligingly begins crashing boxing matches, six-day bicycle races and football matches. Inevitably, he impersonates a football player, winning the game and one of the girls in a single fell swoop. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Georges Milton, Hélène Perdrière, (more)
