Frédérica (1942)
Directed by Jean Boyer

Film Review

After their successful first collaboration on Romance de Paris (1941), director Jean Boyer and popular chansonnier Charles Trenet joined forces for a second time to deliver another amiable musical comedy.  This time round, Trenet's inestimable singing talents are amply supported by the comedy prowess of Rellys, the two stars forming such a likeable and effective double act that you wonder why they never paired up again afterwards.  Needless to say, Frédérica is not the most sophisticated or inspired of French film comedies - in fact, the hopelessly pedestrian plot barely has enough substance to sustain the film's modest runtime - but Trenet's uplifting songs (which include the infectious title number) and Rellys's habitual clowning about make it an enjoyable romp.

Elvire Popesco, Suzet Maïs and Jacqueline Gauthier are the three pretty belles that get caught up in a supposedly harmless deceit concocted by Trenet (for reasons that are far from apparent), three popular actresses of the period who sadly have almost faded from memory.  The one name in the supporting cast that has better weathered the passing of the years is Francis Blanche, a French comedy icon who makes his screen debut here as one of Trenet's animated friends.  The same funny entourage includes another talented performer, Maurice Baquet, whose musical ability was on a par with Trenet's.  Light and frothy, with enough toe-tapping music to give you severe foot strain, Frédérica was just the ticket for an Occupation era audience coping with the privations of war and, whilst it hasn't as much beef to it as Charles Trenet's other films, it still manages to bring a smile.

Film Synopsis

Gilbert Legrant, a successful singer-songwriter, is about to get married to Lilette, without much in the way of enthusiasm.  Wondering what his ideal woman might look like, Gilbert has invented an imaginary girlfriend Frédérica, to whom he frequently writes passionate love letters, sent to a made-up address in Davos.  When Lilette comes across one of these letters she is furious and threatens to call off the wedding.  Luckily, Gilbert's friend Théodule is on hand to remedy the situation.  He persuades his own girlfriend Claudine to pass herself off as Frédérica and convince Lilette that her affair with Gilbert has run its course.  The ruse works, but on the day of the wedding Claudine confesses to Gilbert that, after reading his letters to Frédérica, she is now madly in love with him.  Things become even more complicated when the recipient of Gilbert's letters, the real Frédérica, shows up on the singer's doorstep and demands an explanation...