À pied, à cheval et en voiture (1957) - film review

When he learns that his daughter is to be engaged to the son of a well-to-do businessman, Leon Martin realises that drastic action is called for if he is to create a good impression.   Essential to his plan is the acquisition of a motorcar, which he intends to drive to the estate of his prospective in-laws with the hope of impressing upon them his social status.  Leon’s scheme quickly runs into a few snags.  Having, miraculously, obtained a driving licence, he is conned into buying a car that is unlikely to impress anyone…

Popular comedy actor Noël-Noël gives an ebullient performance in this witty if somewhat run-of-the-mill comedy from the late 1950s.  The jokes and plot are painfully predictable, but the film does feature a number of memorable visual gags.  The film’s appeal to French film enthusiasts may have more to do with the anarchic contributions from some very talented young actors at the start of their successful film careers – Jean-Paul Belmondo, Jean-Pierre Cassel and Darry Cowl.

© James Travers 2006

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