L’École des cocottes (1935) - film review

Monsieur Labaume, a solitary middle-aged man, has become infatuated with the attractive young woman who has recently moved into the apartment opposite his own.  Alas, Ginette already has an amorous suitor, Robert, and he has no intention of giving her up.  But Ginette attracts the attentions of a third man, Stanislas de la Ferronnière, a professor of good manners, who sees that she has the potential to be the most talked about woman in Paris.  Ginette’s social-climbing aspirations make her easy prey for Stanislas, who wastes no time transforming her from a common street girl into a woman of refinement.   Aware that she is destined for higher things, Ginette throws over Robert and Labaume and allows herself to become the mistress of the ageing millionaire Racinet.  All to soon, she discovers that wealth and status do not themselves guarantee a happy life...

Based on the popular stage play of the same title by Paul Armont and Marcel Gerbidon, L’École des cocottes is a moderately entertaining social satire that may well have passed into obscurity had it not been for the ebullient contributions from its leading performers.  André Lefaur steals the show from his illustrious co-stars, Raimu and Renée Saint-Cyr, with his wonderfully camp portrayal of a tutor in social etiquette and good manners.  Madeleine Suffel also deserves a mention for her likeable dumb blonde portrayal, looking and acting like a lobotomised Judy Holliday.  What the film lacks in sophistication it makes up for in charm and good humour.  It would be remade in 1958 by Jacqueline Audry, starring Dany Robin, Fernand Gravey and Bernard Blier.

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