Thomy Bourdelle Movies
- 1958
La Tete Contre Les Muirs (U.S. title: The Keepers) was director Georges Franju's 2nd cinematic offering for 1958, and his first purely fictional film. Franju's prior training in documentaries helps to bring a veneer of reality to this harrowing glimpse within the walls of an insane asylum. Pierre Brasseur plays Marbeau, a traditionalist "head doctor" who takes on the case of young Francois (Jean-Paul Mocky). Though not really insane, Francois has been institutionalized for daring to defy his wealthy father. The story is told from Francois' point of view, as he teeters on the edge of madness during his involuntary internment. The film is essentially a plea for more sensible treatment of the mentally disturbed and the emotionally distressed, calling for much-needed widespread reforms -- something that, alas, was not readily forthcoming in the late 1950s. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Pierre Brasseur, Paul Meurisse, (more)
- 1936
Gunrunners who even kill their enemies through the use of train wrecks are being trailed by Yankee detective Lowe and girlfriend Cummings. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1934
Also known as The Naked Heart, Maria Chapdelaine beautifully supports and sustains French filmmaker Julien Duvivier's gift for "poetic realism." At base, this is a simple 19th century romantic triangle. Canadian lass Madeline Renaud is adored with equal fervor by aristocratic Jean-Pierre Aumont and by crude lumberjack Jean Gabin. Her indecision paves the way for tragedy. Yes, Maria Chapdelaine is a bit old-fashioned in technique and story material, but that fact never stopped Duvivier from turning out a film of genuine merit. Though the 1984 remake, directed by Gilles Carle, is superior to Duvivier's, the earlier film shouldn't be ignored. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Madeleine Renaud, Suzanne Desprès, (more)
- 1934
The English-language title of this French costume drama is The Man With the Broken Ear. Based on an old legend, the story focuses on a Napoleonic-era soldier named Colonel Fougas (Thomy Bourdelle). Long dead, Fougas is brought back to life in modern times by an eccentric scientist (Jim Gerald). The resurrected hero then sets about to apply 19th-century methods to the travails of the 20th century -- and succeeds beyond his wildest dreams. He is particularly successful in the field of romance, as witness the endless parade of young lovelies populating the film's final reels. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alice Tissot, Thomy Bourdelle, (more)
- 1933
Set in Iceland, this rugged drama was based on a novel by Pierre Loti. Per the title, the story concentrates on a group of Icelandic fishermen, whose hardscrabble existence leaves them little time with their loved ones. Yann Gaos (Tommy Bourdelle), who seems to have been born with a chip on his shoulder, is in love with Gaud Mevel (Marguerite Weintenberger), but their marriage is delayed whenever Yann embarks on another fishing expedition. Things don't end too happily for hero and heroine -- or, for that matter, anyone else. According to contemporary reviewers, even the original Loti novel wasn't as bleak as the film version of Pecheur D'Islande. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Yvette Guilbert, Thomy Bourdelle, (more)
- 1933
Andre Beucler directed this German romantic comedy, filmed in two languages and released overseas in French. Brigitte Helm stars as a sophisticated jewel thief who escapes to Spain with an expensive stolen necklace then gets involved with a naive advertising executive (Jean Gabin) who becomes her unsuspecting dupe. The film is nothing special, but is worth seeing for the cast alone. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean Gabin, Brigitte Helm, (more)
- 1932
Mon Ami Tim (My Friend Tim) is a French-language remake of the 1931 Columbia Pictures actioner Fifty Fathoms Deep. Thomy Bourdelle steps into the old Jack Holt role as Tim Burke, an experienced deep sea diver. Tim and his protégé Pinky (Franck O'Neill) have a falling out over the affections of predatory female Myra (Jeanne Hebling), whom Pinky eventually marries. Later on, Myra dumps Pinky in favor of a millionaire yachtsman. As fate would have it, both Tim and Pinky are pressed into rescue service when the millionaire's yacht is disabled in an accident. Most of the action highlights in Mon Ami Tim were lifted from the original American film, then inexpertly matched up with location shots lensed on a placid French lake. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeanne Helbling, Frank O'Neill, (more)
- 1932
The venerable silent-serial menace Fantomas was revived on-screen in 1932 by globetrotting filmmaker Paul Fejos. Back to his old tricks, the hooded, black-clad Fantomas goes around robbing from the rich and giving to himself, though he's not quite as homicidally inclined here as he'd been in his earlier film appearances. Jean Galland stars as the elusive "hero," while Thomy Bourdelle plays the detective who dedicates his life to bringing Fantomas to justice. Director Fejos doesn't miss a trick, running through a gamut that includes clutching hands and screams in the dark. An English-dubbed version of Fantomas was released in the U.S. in 1934. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean Galland, Thomy Bourdelle, (more)
- 1932
Quatorze Juliet translates to "July 14th"--and if you know your French history, you'll know that July 14th is Bastille Day. This Rene Clair films deals not with the tumultuous events of the French Revolution, but with a 1932 celebration of that particular French holiday. Clair made the film hoping to capture the freewheeling, anecdotal style of his earlier Under the Roofs of Paris. The hero, George Rigaud, is a Parisian cabdriver; the heroine, Annabella, is a flower peddler. As the Bastille Day festivities stretch on into the night, the young lovers come in contact with several of Paris' more eccentric citizens. Director Clair felt that Quatorze Juliet was better in parts than in sum total; modern audiences will most likely enjoy the film as a whole, excusing the weaknesses of its structure while revelling in its music and atmosphere. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Annabella, Raymond Cordy, (more)
- 1932
Milady is the sequel to director Henri Diamant-Berger's The Three Musketeers and is every bit as lavish as its predecessor. Now that D'Artagnan (Aimee Simon-Girard) and his fellow Musketeers have saved their beloved Queen Anne (Andree Lafayette) from disgrace, they must fend off the vengeance-seeking Milady de Winter (Edith Mara), the chief confederate of the power-hungry Cardinal Richelieu (Samon Fainsliber). The culmination of Milady's vitriolic villainy is her murder of D'Artagnan's sweetheart Constance (Blanche Montel). Ultimately, Milady pays for her crimes, the Cardinal is foiled, and the Musketeers emerge triumphant. In some European markets, Three Musketeers and Milady were run in tandem as a four-hour feature. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Blanche Montel, Edith Mera, (more)
- 1931
Adapted from a stage play by Lajos Zilahy, Le Rebelle features Pierre Batcheff as the title character, a young chemist named Sabline. His particular form of "revolt" is to refuse to serve to the best of his abilities as a Lieutenant in the Russian army during WWI. Condemned to death for insubordination, Sabline is rescued by his wife Maria (Suzy Vernon), who gives herself to arrogant General Platoff (Thomy Bourdelle) in exchange for her husband's freedom. Sabline is spared, but in the process loses Maria, who by now has fallen in love with Platoff. Zelahy, Le Rebelle was previously filmed in Hollywood as The Virtuous Sin, with Kay Francis and Walter Huston. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Suzy Vernon, Paule Andral, (more)
Rene Clair's Under the Roofs of Paris is one of the first French films shot in sound. The film is a relaxed melodrama where a Parisian street singer (Albert Prejean) and his friend (Edmond Greville) pursue the love of the same woman (Pola Illery). Clair chose to use sound only when needed, preferring to tell the story through his visuals as well as through his dialogue. The result is a striking film, boasting beautiful photography and sets, as well as a moving story. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Albert Prejean, Pola Illery, (more)
- 1928
The first of Julien Duvivier's four directorial efforts of 1929 was the mystical drama The Divine Cruise (La Divine Croisiere). Although the dilapidated sailing vessel Cordiliere is hardly seaworthy, it is ordered back in commission by its greedy owner. Fearing for their lives, the crew members mutiny -- at which point all radio communication between the Cordiliere and the Mainland is severed. After several days, it is presumed that the ship has gone to the bottom of the ocean with all hands. But Simone (Suzane Christy), the daughter of the missing ship's captain (Jean Murat), experiences a vision in which her father and his crew are still alive. Guided by nothing more than blind faith, Simone charters a boat and launches her own search for the "lost" Cordiliere. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Suzanne Christy, Jean Murat, (more)
- 1927
Sea Fever was originally released in France in late 1927 as En Rade. Catherine Hessling, better known to film enthusiasts for her work in the early Jean Renoir silents, stars as a seaport barmaid who falls in love with sweet-natured sailor Georges Charlia. When Charlia unaccountably disappears one day, Hessling is plunged into the depths of melancholia. Her sad story is counterpointed with the bizarre behavior of the local laundress' lazy, near-moronic son (Philippe Heriat), who dreams of a life at sea. Although well photographed on genuine locations, Sea Fever proved confusing to many non-French filmgoers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Georges Charlia, Catherine Hessling, (more)
