Faites-moi confiance (1953)
Directed by Gilles Grangier

Film Review

One of Gilles Grangier's more boisterous comedies, Faites-moi confiance is an obvious tribute to France's comedy legend of the silent era, Max Linder, and it is no accident that Linder's daughter Maud was employed as an assistant on the film.  The familiar silhouette of France's first superstar is enthusiastically animated by another Max, namely Max Doucet, otherwise known as Zappy Max.  Looking less like Linder and more like a weird cross-between Groucho Marx and Douglas Fairbanks Jr, complete with goggle eyes that seem to leap out on stalks as in a Looney Tunes cartoon, Doucet throws himself into this comedy extravaganza with gusto and almost beats his audience into submission in an attempt to get the laughs.  Given his flair for visual comedy, it is surprising that the performer ended up spending most of his career as a radio presenter, one of the most famous to take to the airwaves in France.

The film begins as it continues, in a wildly unpredictable vein by having the narrator, Francis Blanche, putting in a personal appearance and justifying his presence in front of the camera.  As Blanche co-authored the screenplay, he probably deserved this privilege, and his presence does help to keep the hectic comedy juggernaut from stalling, even if he does take the repeat gag to ludicrous extremes.  Jeanne Fusier-Gir is equally welcome as the suitably named Madame Créture, as is Pierre Larquey, who manages to be both sinister and hilarious as a mysterious master illusionist.  Louis de Funès crops up late in the film, well chosen to play the part of a pantomime tyrant, although Jacqueline Noëlle has far more fun as a seductive gangster's moll - her futile attempt to 'ignite Max's canon' being the film's sole concession to adult humour.  Faites-moi confiance starts out at such a breathtaking pace that it runs out of steam eventually, but along the way there is no shortage of laughs, and even a few decent musical numbers.  Not a classic, but it still ranks as an enjoyable family-friendly entertainment and if it helps at least one person re-discover the genius of Max Linder it has done its job.

Film Synopsis

Max is a stage magician whose abundant lack of talent does not impress theatre owner Bombardon, which is unfortunate as he had been hoping to marry the latter's daughter Hélène.  In search of inspiration, Max visits a magicians' shop and walks away with a magic clock which, according to the strange man who sold it to him, will make his fortune.  Max's first attempts to explore the clock's magical possibilities end with him being stuck inside it.  When he comes to, he transforms a rabbit into a magician named Merlin and earns, as a reward, a special gift.  Every fake object that Max touches will be turned into a real object.  Bombardon is not slow to exploit Max's new talent, but before he knows it Max is abducted by a gang of crooks, who intend employing him for a less artistic purpose...