Bernard Blier Movies
Born in Argentina to French parents, Bernard Blier studied acting at the Paris conservatory. After a short theatrical career, Blier made his movie bow in 1937's Trois-Six-Neuf. Following World War II service, the prematurely balding Blier became established as something of a "new Raimu", distinguishing himself in an exhausting variety of major character roles. He was awarded an honorary Cesar (the French Oscar) in 1989 for lifetime achievement. Bernard Blier was the father of director Bertrand Blier, and he co-starred in his son's black comedy Buffet Froid (1979) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1941
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
- Starring:
- Renée Saint-Cyr, Jean-Louis Barrault, (more)
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
- Starring:
- Jean Gabin, Jules Berry, (more)
- 1938
Hotel du Nord was the second in Marcel Carne's trio of "fatalistic romantic melodramas", bracketed on either side by Quai des Brumes and Le Jour se Leve. Star-crossed lovers Annabella and Jean-Pierre Aumont draw up a suicide pact, making their fatal rendezvous at the Hotel du Nord. Aumont shoots Annabella, but loses his nerve when time comes to take his own life. Seedy criminal Louis Jouvet and his mistress Arletty help Aumont to escape the authorities-but he can't very well run away from himself. Happily, Annabella recovers from her wounds and forgives the repentant Aumont. Fate, however, has other things in store for the tormented hero, as elucidated by the grimly ironic ending. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Arletty, Louis Jouvet, (more)
