Georges Tourreil Movies
- 1951
Les Amants Maudits was based on the short, unhappy life of a notorious French "impulse killer" known as Pierre the Madman. Robert Berri plays Pierre, while Daniele Roy is the pathetic Jackie, who dreams of being Bonnie to someone's Clyde. A humble bartender, Pierre tries to impress Jackie with tales of his imaginary crimes. She laughs in his face, leading to devastating consequences. The story is filmed in semi-documentary fashion, a la Dragnet. It is hard to say whether Les Amants Maudits proved influential to the nouvelle vague movement, though it does bear resemblances to certain later works by Jean Luc-Godard and other New Wave filmmakers. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Robert Berri, Jacques Dynam, (more)
- 1947
Bellman was based on the novel Horseman of Riouclare by Claude Boncompain. Lucien Coedel stars in this steadily-paced melodrama as an alpine bell-ringer. His job is to toll the village bells in order to prevent strangers from getting lost in the snowy peaks. Somewhere along the line, Coedel snaps, and begins abusing his position in order to murder tourists and passersby. The Bellman was originally released in France as Sortileges. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1936
Incredibly, Rigolbouche was one of seven films directed in a 12-month period by the talented Christian-Jacque. Jules Berry stars as a hard-bitten gambler, operating out of a casino in Paris. Attracted to Mistinguett, a cabaret singer on the lam from the law, Berry hires her as a come-on for wealthy older gamblers. One of Berry's "pigeons" is an elderly count, played by Andre Lefaur. Forced by circumstance to let the Count win at the gaming tables, Berry writes a check for 100,000 francs, knowing full well that he hasn't a sou to his name. When the check is "stolen" by one of Berry's minions, suspicion immediately falls upon Mistinguett, but when the truth comes out, she is rescued from her seedy companions by the compassionate Count. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jules Berry, Mady Berry, (more)
- 1934
L'Or is the French-language version of the simultaneously filmed German melodrama Gold. Brigitte Helm repeats her leading-lady role of Fronce Wills, but the alchemist Maisslot, originally played by Friedrich Kayssler, is herein portrayed by Jacques Dumesnil, while his assistant Berthier, enacted by Hans Albers in Gold, is essayed by Jean Gabin in the French version. Maisslot and Berthier perfect an atomic reactor (20,000,000 volts of power!) for the purpose of manufacturing gold, which is highly coveted by the villains. When the scientists realize that their invention will ruin the world's economy, they set about to destroy it, setting the stage for a near-apocalyptic climax. The original Gold was directed by Charles Hartl, who served as a consultant when Serge De Poligny occupied the director's chair for L'Or. Stock footage from both versions were later utilized in the 1953 Ivan Tors production Magnetic Monster. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Brigitte Helm, Rosine Derean, (more)
- 1932
Also known as Die Herrin von Atlantis, this expansive G. W. Pabst production is a remake of the 1921 Jacques Feyder film of the same name. Like the earlier film, the remake was largely shot in the Sahara Desert and cost a fortune to put together. Based on the best-selling novel by Pierre Benoit, the original story of adventure, sacrifice, fantasy and mysticism is largely dispensed with as Pabst focuses on the pivotal character of Anitnea, played by the always fascinating Brigitte Helm. Still, plenty of time is afforded the narrative of a group of French soldiers literally stumbling upon the underground city of Atlantis, their efforts to escape, and the ultimate destruction of the lost metropolis. Though Feyder's film is still the superior of the two versions, there is still much to recommend Pabst's L'Atlantide. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Brigitte Helm, Pierre Blanchar, (more)
- 1932
In this mythical fantasy, the evil queen of Atlantis lives in a magnificent palace, the halls of which are filled with the mummified remains of former lovers. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Brigitte Helm
- 1931
En Bordee was released in English-speaking countries under the title A.W.O.L. Sure enough, the film focuses on the misadventures of two sailors who end up absent without leave in a foreign port. It all begins quite innocently, when our heroes are put ashore to seek out a friend of the admiral and deliver an invitation to an engagement party, held in honor of the admiral's daughter. The two gobs inevitably end up in a "red light" district, where they have a high old time extricating themselves from the clutches of the local hookers and "mecs." En Bordee was designed as a vehicle for the popular French comedian Bach, who plays the denser of the two sailors. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
