Jules Berry Movies

Filmed in 1941, Christian-Jacque's La Symphonie Fantastique at last attained an American release in 1947. In an elaborate, almost orgiastic manner, the film details the life and times of 19th century composer Hector Berlioz, here played by Jean-Louis Barrault. Expansively dividing his valuable time between his music, his friends (including Balzac and Delacroix) and his many women, Berlioz illustrates Christian-Jaque's thesis that there is always grandeur in genius. The film's highlight is Berlioz' feverish creation of the title composition, which is staged in a florid manner reminscent of Disney's animated Fantasia. Alas, the English-language prints of Symphonie Fantastique were cursed with a substandard soundtrack, rendering virtually inaudible the brilliant orchestrations of Berlioz' works by the Paris Conservatory Orchestra. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

That matchless French farceur Fernandel has a field day in L'Heritier de Mondesir (The Mondesir Heir). A wicked lampoon on astrology, the story is set in motion when the Baron de Mondesir dies suddenly, leaving a fortune behind. A rustic rube (Fernandel, who also plays six other roles!) finds that, as the Baron's illegitimate offspring, he is the sole heir to the Mondesir estate. It is at this point that our hero is pounced upon by phony astrologers Elvire Popesco and Jules Berry, who seek to separate Fernandel from his bankroll by convincing him that the disposition of his estate has been predetermined by the stars. The villains almost get away with it, but Fernandel is saved by a vision of his noble ancestors, who warn him not to be so gosh-darned gullible. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Marcel Carne and Jacques Prevert's classic of French poetic realism stars Jean Gabin in one of his most famous roles as Francois, a rough, barrel-chested loner who hides out in his apartment awaiting for the police to arrive. Francois has killed a man in a crime of passion, the slimy lothario Valentin (Jules Berry). As he listens in the darkness of his Normandy apartment to the police sirens closing in and getting louder, he recalls the two women that he loved -- Francoise (Jacqueline Laurent) and Clara (Arletty) -- and the evil Valentin, who stole both their hearts and forced Francois into this melancholy plight. The film was later re-made in Hollywood as The Long Night. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide

Inconnue de Monte Carlo (Unknown of Monte Carlo) centers around heroine Dita Parlo, accomplice of clever cardsharp Jules Berry. Falling in love with playboy Claude Lehmann, Parlo tries to dissuade Berry from fleecing Lehmann's wealthy brother Albert Prejean. It's something of a dual regeneration: Parlo turns honest, while Lehmann becomes a responsible member of society. The only person who doesn't come out the better for the experience is Berry, who after being betrayed by everyone around him rather understandably blows his brains out. The film's genuine Monte Carlo locations are rather more interesting than the film itself. Inconnue de Monte Carlo was simultaneously filmed in an Italian-language version, directed by Mario Soldati. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This murder mystery is set in a Parisian cafe and examines the mysterious murder of a famed journalist and extortionist who is killed at his table in the cafe. Though the prime suspects are gathered together( including his wife and her lover, the gun-runner, the creditor, and a playboy) and all of them have motives, none of them did it. So whodunit? ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide