Summary
When the proprietor of the inn “Le Trou normand” dies, everyone in the small
town of Courteville is curious to know who will inherit his estate. To the chagrin
of the dead man’s sister-in-law, the sole beneficiary is his nephew, the hapless
Hyppolite Lemoine. However, Hyppolite will inherit only if he can obtain a school
certificate. Reluctantly, the gawky middle-aged man agrees to go back to school.
His scheming aunt isn’t ready to admit defeat so easily, and intends to use her
beautiful daughter to thwart Hyppolite’s chances in the end-of-year exam…
Review
The most notable thing about this low-key comedy is that it marks the film début
of Brigitte Bardot. Far from being the sex goddess which she became a few years
later, Bardot is cast in the role of a stereotypical nice young woman of her era, although
her screen presence is to be noted. The film will appeal most to fans of the popular
comic actor, Bourvil, whose instant rapport with children is more apparent here than in
any other of his films, illustrating his enduring appeal for the younger generation.
Despite one or two good jokes, the film is slow and dated, with a fairly predictable ending.
© James Travers 2005
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© James Travers 2005
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Useful links
- Best French films of 2011
- Best French films of the 2000s
- Best of the French New Wave
- Best of French film comedy
- The best 100 French films
- The most successful French films
- Great French filmmakers
Related links
- The best French comedies
- Other French films of the 1950s
- The best French films of the 1950s
- Other French comedies
- Biography and films of Jean Boyer
To buy this film
Check DVD and Blu-ray availability:
Credits
- Director: Jean Boyer
- Script: Arlette De Pitray
- Photo: Charles Suin
- Music: Paul Misraki
- Cast: Bourvil (Hyppolite Lemoine), Pierre Larquey (Testu), Jane Marken (Augustine Lemoine, la tante), Georges Baconnet (Pichet), Jean Duvaleix (Le notaire), Marcel Charvey (L’automobiliste snob), René Worms (Le préfet), Roger Pierre (Jean Marco, l’imprésario), Brigitte Bardot (Javotte Lemoine), Léon Berton (Le clerc), André Dalibert (Firmin, un paysan), Jean-Pierre Lorrain (Un paysan), Jeanne Fusier-Gir (Maria), Noël Roquevert (Le docteur Aubert, maire de Courteville), Jack Ary (Un journaliste)
- Country: France
- Language: French
- Runtime: 85 min; B&W
- Aka: Crazy for Love; Ti Ta To
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To buy Le Trou normand:

Comedy


