Film Review
Le Mariage de Chiffon is the first of three historical satires directed by Claude
Autant-Lara during World War II - the others being
Lettres
d'amour (1942) and
Douce
(1943). All three films starred the petite Odette Joyeux, who gives an extraordinarily
moving performance in each film. Having worked with Maurice Lehmann for a time,
most notably on the farce
Fric-Frac
(1939), Autant-Lara found his own style with this popular "Joyeux trilogy".
His well-honed satire reveals an intense dislike for the conventions of the aristocracy
and Bourgeoisie - a sentiment which most ordinary people would have shared at the time.
© James Travers 2003
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.
Next Claude Autant-Lara film:
Lettres d'amour (1942)
Film Synopsis
Madame de Bray's overriding concern is to find a suitable husband for her
18-year-old daughter Chiffon. She believes she has found the ideal candidate
in a distinguished colonel, the Duke of Aubières, even if he is her
daughter's senior by more than thirty years. Although Chiffon is readily
charmed by the fifty-something military man, it scarcely occurs to her that
he might be a future husband. She has already lost her head and her
heart to another man, her stepfather's impecunious brother Marc de Bray.
The latter is too preoccupied with his hobby as an aviator to notice Chiffon,
and, besides, why should he feel any romantic leanings towards the little
girl he has seen grow up before his very eyes? One person who cannot
fail to notice Chiffon's interest in Marc is his present mistress, the coquettish
Madame de Liron. She is far from pleased to have a potential rival
in a prettier younger woman. The only person who can resolve the deadlock
and ensure a happy outcome is the Duke of Aubières. Realising
where Chiffon's heart lies, he gives up his own hopes of marrying her and
opts instead to become her closest friend and confidant. To ensure
the young woman's future happiness, he decides to act as a go-between and
make her feelings known to Marc...
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.
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Film Credits
- Director: Claude Autant-Lara
- Script: Jean Aurenche,
Marcel Blondeau,
Gyp (novel)
- Cinematographer: Philippe Agostini, Jean Isnard
- Music: Roger Desormière
- Cast: Odette Joyeux (Corysande 'Chiffon'),
André Luguet (Le duc d'Aubières),
Jacques Dumesnil (Max de Bray),
Pierre Larquey (Jean),
Robert Le Vigan (L'huissier),
Suzanne Dantès (Madame de Bray),
Louis Seigner (Philippe de Bray),
Georges Vitray (Van Doren),
Bernard Blier (Le garçon d'hôtel),
Raymond Bussières (Marcel Férez),
Monette Dinay (Alice de Liron),
France Ellys (Sophie),
Luce Fabiole (La couturière),
Richard Francoeur (Léon),
Émile Genevois (Le groom),
Pierre Jourdan (L'officier),
Marthe Mellot (La marchande de journaux de la gare),
Jeanne Pérez (Madame Férez),
Germaine Stainval (La dame de l'hôtel),
Yvonne Yma (La cuisinière)
- Country: France
- Language: French
- Support: Black and White
- Runtime: 103 min