Il est charmant (1932) Directed by Louis Mercanton
Comedy / Musical / Romance
aka: He Is Charming
Film Review
Il est charmant is typical of a genre of film
- the comedy musical - that was enormously popular in the early years of sound cinema,
particularly in France. This particular piece is unusual in that it was not based
on an existing stage production but was especially written for the big screen, by the
successful theatre writer Albert Willemetz, with music by Raoul Moretti. It
was produced by Paramount Picture's studios in France. Henri Garat, a high-profile
and much-loved actor of the time, took the leading role - one of his most memorable -
and some well-known singers (Vincent Hyspa, Dominique Bonnaud....) made up a large part
of the cast.
Whilst the film does feel somewhat dated with its cramped studio exteriors and a
few over-laboured comic situations, its unceasing ebullience and anarchic sense of fun
makes it irresistibly charming. There are a few touches of cinematic genius, such
as the sequence in which miniature chorus girls dance on Jacques' study desk whilst he
is seen sleeping in the same shot. There is also some great comedy (the oral exam
scene is hilarious), but it is probably the musical numbers that sell the film and make
it such a wonderfully uplifting diversion.
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Film Synopsis
Jacques Dombreval is loath to give up his dissolute Parisian life style, which mainly
involves frolicking into the early hours with his joyful band of friends. But that
is what he must do to please his uncle who wants him to follow a career in the Law.
The only thing on Jacques' mind is falling in love, which he promptly does with Jacqueline,
who, by chance, is sitting the same exam as him. Jacques' charms win over Jacqueline,
who helps him to cheat, but have no effect on the examiner, who fails him. There
is but one course left open to Jacques - to accept a position in a notary office in a
remote town, hundreds of miles from Paris. The young man is quick to make
the most of his exile and within a few days his new office has more than a touch of the
“gai Paris” about it…
Cast: Meg Lemonnier (Jacqueline Cordier),
Henri Garat (Jacques Dombreval),
Louis Baron fils (M. Poitou),
Cassive (La présidente),
Marthe Derminy (Mme de la Tremblade),
Martine de Breteuil (Gaby),
Suzette O'Nil (La dactylo),
Dominique Bonnaud (Un Buste),
Jacques Ferny (Un Buste),
Vincent Hyspa (Un Buste),
Gaston Secrétan (Un Buste),
Paul Weil (Un Buste),
Rachel Carlez (La capitaine des girls),
Jean Mercanton (Le chasseur),
Bazin (Antoine),
Pierre Moreno (Ludovic de la Tremblade),
Jean Granier (Un boy),
Armand Dranem (Émile Barbarin),
Nicole Ray (Petit rôle),
Lucienne Claudy
Country: France
Language: French
Support: Black and White
Runtime: 87 min
Aka:He Is Charming
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