Suzy Prim Movies
French actress Suzy Prim's long film career began in 1907 when she was still a child and lasted to the early '60s, by which time she had become a femme fatale. She was born Suzanne Arduini in Paris and made her stage debut as a baby. During the latter part of the '60s, Prim became a producer. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide- 1938
Le Patriote (The Patriot) was the first of director Maurice Tourneur's two 1938 productions. The incomparable Harry Baur heads the cast as the demented Czar Paul I of Russia. Drunk with power, Paul becomes not only a detriment to his countrymen, but also a clear and present danger. Pahlen (Pierre Renoir), military governor of St. Petersburg, sadly realizes that the only hope for Russia's salvation is Paul's death. Despite his patriotic motives, Pahlen is accused of murdering the Czar for his own political gain, forcing him to take very extremes measure to prove his loyalty and sincerity. A silent version of The Patriot, directed by Ernst Lubitsch and starring Emil Jannings, was filmed in 1927. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Josette Day, Suzy Prim, (more)
- 1937
Although the title of this French melodrama translates as White Cargo, it has nothing to do with the steamy stage play of the same name. Instead, its source was Chemin di Rio, a novel by Jean Masson. A very young Jean-Pierre Aumont plays a crusading reporter who investigates a white-slavery ring. When Aumont disappears, his sweetheart Kate von Nagy vows to continue his work. Inevitably, Nagy falls into the clutches of demonic pimp Jules Berry and jaded madam Suzy Prim. Dismissed by its director Robert Siodmak in later years as "a dirty movie," Cargaison Blanche seems rather sedate when seen today, save for a brief and tasteful nude bathing scene. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jules Berry, Kaethe von Nagy, (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, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gaby Morlay, Gabrielle Dorziat, (more)
- 1936
Moutonnet is a dim-witted French peasant, played by Noel-Noel. Merac is a sarcastic stage comedian, also played by Noel-Noel. During WWI, Merac's life is saved on the battlefield by Moutonnet. Seventeen years later, Merac returns the favor by starring in a picture based on Moutonnet's life. The latter heads to Paris to watch the film in progress, whereupon the inevitable mistaken-identity gags begin descending upon the proceedings. Fans of Noel-Noel were more than satisfied with the double dose of their favorite in Moutonnet, even if critics were not so enchanted. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Janine Crispin, Suzy Prim, (more)
Based on Idol's End, a novel by Claude Anet, the French Mayerling is based on the tragic real-life story of Hapsburg Crown Prince Rudolph and his mistress, Baroness Marie Vetsera. Since the details of Rudolph and Marie's lives and deaths are clouded in controversy, much of the film is romanticized speculation-with emphasis on the romance. The film establishes Rudolph (Charles Boyer) as a rebellious "man of the people", at eternal odds with his despotic father, Emperor Franz Joseph (Jean Dax). To keep him quiet and out of trouble, Rudolph is forced into an arranged marriage, and surrounded by Hapsburg informers and spies. In an effort to escape this oppressive atmosphere, a disguised Rudolph dashes off to a fair, where he meets the beauteous 17-year-old Marie (Danielle Darieux). Thus begins an illicit romance, which the lovers try vainly to keep secret from the prying eyes of the Emperor's flunkeys. One of Rudolph's enemies arranges for Marie to be taken away to Trieste for a "rest cure." Rudolph sinks into a drunken depression, snapping out of it only when Marie returns. They attempt to legitimize their love through marriage, but the Catholic hierarchy will not approve of Rudolph's divorcing his wife. Desperately, the lovers flee to Rudolph's hunting lodge in Mayerling. Here they spend an exquisite last night together, then formulate a death pact. The following day, Marie and Rudolph are found lying side by side-united in death. Transforming this grim story into a tender, moving romance was quite an undertaking, but the end result was worth it: Mayerling was a huge international hit, and the winner of several industry awards, including the New York film critics' "best foreign picture" prize. Mayerling was remade in surprisingly cold and distant fashion in 1968, with Omar Sharif and Catherine Deneuve. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Boyer, Jean Dax, (more)
- 1936
Voted 1936's best picture by a circle of prestigious French critics, Jean Renoir's The Lower Depths (Les Bas-Fonds) is based on the "gutter" play by Russian author Maxim Gorky. Louis Jouvet plays The Baron, forced by circumstance to give up his life of luxury and to set up residence in the slums of Paris. As Jouvet observes the passing parade, he bears witness to the frustrated romance between Jean Gabin and Junie Astor, the thwarted dreams of actor Robert Le Vigan, and the oppressive cruelties of landlord Vladimir Sokoloff. The Lower Depths surprised Renoir's admirers, who weren't used to seeing the director involve himself in so sordid and depressing a tale. Actually, the project was brought to Renoir by a producer friend of his, who secured the director's services by promising to provide Louis Jouvet and Jean Gabin as the leading actors. Renoir's The Lower Depths would make a fascinating companion piece to Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa's 1957 adaptation of the same Gorky play. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean Gabin, Louis Jouvet, (more)
