Henri Vidal Movies

Though French director Jean Gremillon's postwar films were nowhere near as brilliant as his prewar efforts, they still afforded plenty of entertainment value. L'Etrange Madame X stars Michele Morgan as Irene, a woman torn between two lovers. Married to aristocratic Jacques (Maurice Escande), Irene is devoted to her husband, yet she cannot resist the charms of low-born laborer Etienne (Henri Vidal). Her passionate affair with Etienne results in a pregnancy, which Jacques accepts with dignified resignation. Etienne, however, is less understanding, especially when he learns that Irene is not the humble housemaid she has pretended to be. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

La Bella Que Volla is based on The Career of Doris Hart, a glossy, soap opera-ish novel by Vicki Baum. Michele Morgan plays a young ballerina named Jeanine, who falls in love with dangerously impulsive artist Pierre (Henri Vidal). When Pierre finds Jeanine in the arms of another, he shoots her. Jeanine survives, but just barely. Though her heart has been irreparably damaged, her ardor for Pierre does not cool. She returns to the ballet, in order to raise enough money to spring Pierre from prison. There won't be a dry eye in the house during the film's final ten minutes. La Bella Que Volla affords the viewer the rare opportunity to see prima ballerina Ludmila Tcherina in action. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

After several years of wartime austerity, the Italian film industry returned to spectacle with Fabiola. French actress Michele Morgan plays the title role, the daughter of a Roman aristocrat (Michel Simon) during the takeover by Emperor Constantine. As a reaction to Constantine's Christian conversion policy, many old-line Romans are persecuting the city's Christian community, killing the believers off before Constantine marches into town. Fabiola is loyal to her Christian-sympathizing father but is irresistibly drawn to a Roman gladiator (Henri Vidal). All works out for the best when it is revealed that the gladiator is secretly working on behalf of Constantine. Originally released in 1949 at a length of 183 minutes, the French/Italian co-production Fabiola was distributed to the U.S. two years later in a 96-minute version, retaining the action highlights but cutting the plot footage to incomprehensible ribbons. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This psychological drama is set aboard a submarine carrying Nazi officials fleeing their country just before the end of World War II. They are trying to get to South America, but along the way they meet with many obstacles including a bout with a destroyer where they are depth-charged. When the count's wife, Marly, (she is also the on-board general's mistress) is wounded the sub lands in France where the Germans snatch a doctor. The doctor knows his life is in danger. To combat the self-exiles he begins manipulating their emotions, getting them to feel despair, defeat, and helping them realize that all their actions are hopeless. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide