Ignace (1937)

Ignace is a French film comedy first released in 1937, directed by Pierre Colombier.  The film is based on a operetta by Jean Manse and stars Fernandel, Alice Tissot, Saturnin Fabre, Nita Raya and Charles Redgie.  Our overall rating for this film is: good.


As a punishment for returning late to barracks, a new army recruit Ignace Boitaclou is assigned as batman to the Colonel Durosier.  His duties include keeping the Colonel’s expansive mansion and serving his formidable wife.  Ignace is surprised at what he sees: infidelity, deceit, conspiracy.  Yet he must adhere to the servant’s golden rule: to see and hear everything, but to say nothing...

Ignace is a good example of the popular burlesque comedy of its time, with some eccentric comic performances and several songs, one of which, the title song Ignace , went to become popular successes.   A typically hyper-active yet adorable Fernandel is very nearly out-staged by the remarkable Alice Tissot, who plays the archetypal tyrannical officer’s wife.

Despite some pleasing moments, the film is not Fernandel’s best.  The plot is rambling, there are just too many mediocre songs, and some of the editing is atrocious. Nevertheless, the film retains an enduring appeal.

© James Travers 2001

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