French Classics on Turner Classic Movies
September 10th, 2006 by Andre Soares
I’ve never seen the 1948 French version of Gigi, but I’ve heard several prudes remark that the film "has all the sleaze and none of the charm" of the 1958 Hollywood musical. In my book, that’s as good a recommendation as they come. (Though I do enjoy the Vincente Minnelli-directed Academy Award-winner.)
The light Gigi will be followed by the downbeat Le Jour se lève (Daybreak). With a screenplay by Jacques Viot and dialogue by Jacques Prévert, and directed by Marcel Carné (whose Les Enfants du Paradis / Children of Paradise remains one of the most remarkable films of the 1940s), this haunting tragedy stars three of the biggest French stars ever — Jean Gabin, Jules Berry, and Arletty. Films such as Le Jour se lève helped to set the mood for the American film noirs of the 1940s.
(The synopses are from the TCM schedule, EDT.)
Tuesday, Sept. 12
6:00 AM Gigi (1948)
In this original French version, a young girl who has been trained to be a kept woman, sets out to reform the young man who wants to keep her.
Cast: Daniele Delorme, Gaby Morlay, Yvonne de Bray. Dir: Jacqueline Audry. BW-82 mins, TV-PG
7:30 AM Jour se lève, Le (1939)
A young factory worker loses the woman he loves to a vicious schemer.
Cast: Jean Gabin, Jules Berry, Arletty. Dir: Marcel Carné. BW-93 mins, TV-PG
DVD Review: Vittorio De Sica’s UMBERTO D. (1952)
Film Review: TRUST THE MAN (2006)
Venice Film Festival 2006 Winners
Leave a Reply
Note: All comments are moderated. Different views and opinions are welcome, but abusive/bigoted/flaming comments will NOT be approved. Also, please be aware that the Alternative Film Guide has NO contact information for the talent mentioned in this blog or any information pertaining to or access to distributors'/producers' film prints.
