Leon Poirier Movies
- 1938
Leon Poirer was both writer and director of the inspirational French feature The Call. Not designed for popular appeal, the film is an unabashed paean to the Catholic Church in general and famed missionary Charles de Fourcauld in particular. Born into great wealth, De Fourcauld (Jean Yonnel) turns his back on his family fortune to enter a monastery. For the rest of his life, De Fourcauld tends to the needs of those less fortunate than himself in the Hoggar sector of the Sahara. Filmmaker Poirer injects a bit of excitement in the final reels by elaborating on De Fourcauld's "adventures" as spiritual leader of the French Foreign Legion. During its New York run, The Call was used to raise funds for the Catholic Charity Drive; tickets ranged from $2 to a then-astronomical $20. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean Yonnel
- 1936
Yellow Cruise is a filmed record of the third Andre Citroen/Georges-Marie Haardt/L. Audoin-Dubrel expedition. Andre Citroen was, of course, the European auto manufacturer, so it's understandable that the film contains a few "plugs" for his products. This time, the intrepid explorers ventured into Central Asia, beginning in Beirut and ending in the Himalayas. Along for the ride was M. O. Williams, a representative of National Geographic Magazine. The background music for Yellow Cruise was provided by the Paris Opera orchestra. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1932
Amour Amour concerns the adventures of a pompous jeweler who refuses to listen to the advice of his level-headed employees. In due time, the jeweler is robbed, but his sharp-eyed subordinate manages to prevent the villains from getting very far. Wising up in a hurry, the jeweler finally proves himself worthy of the love of the heroine. Featured in the cast is legendary Parisian stage beauty Mlle. Polaire, who by 1932 was well past her prime. Amour Amour represented the final screenwriting effort of Pierre Batcheff, who died during production. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1931
A nameless ship's stoker (Thomy Bordelle) deserts his vessel and escapes to a lush tropical island. Here he falls in love with a Native girl (Rama Tahle), who is argument enough for his never returning to civilization. After several idyllic months, the stoker is "rescued" by a passing ship and persuaded to return to his own people. On the verge of leaving the island forever, he jumps ship again and returns to his Native sweetheart. Filmed on the French-controlled African island of Nossi-Be, Cain has much in common with such American "going Native" epics as White Shadows on the South Seas. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1929
The French The Jade Casket is a satirical treatment of a tale which originated as one of 1001 Arabian Nights. A young philosopher falls in love with a beautiful harem girl, despite the dire warnings of an all-knowing hunchbacked servant that the girl is fickle and untrustworthy. Attempting to make love to his would-be sweetheart, the hero is interrupted by her master, who beats the girl severely for her indiscretion. With the help of a "friendly bandit," the philosopher manages to wreak a fatal vengeance against the cruel master and claim the girl as his bride. As a reward, the bandit is invited to live in the philosopher's home, where he shows his true colors by robbing his host blind. The bandit then conspires with the young man's faithless wife to poison her husband. But our hero adroitly turns the tables on the bandit and settles accounts with his two-timing missus. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1922
Jocelyn (Armand Tallier) saves Laurence (Mlle. Myrga) when Laurence's father is killed. He tries to care for Laurence's wounds and discovers he is a she. The two try in vain to save the Bishop (Roger Karl) from losing his head at the guillotine. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Suzanne Bianchetti
