Merlusse

1935 film
  • Henri Poupon
  • André Pollack
  • Annie Toinon
CinematographyAlbert AssouadEdited bySuzanne de TroeyeMusic byVincent Scotto
Production
company
Films Marcel Pagnol
Distributed byFilms Marcel Pagnol
Release date
  • 6 December 1935 (1935-12-06)
Running time
72 minutesCountryFranceLanguageFrench

Merlusse is a 1935 French comedy drama film written and directed by Marcel Pagnol and starring Henri Poupon, André Pollack and Annie Toinon.[1] It was shot at the Lycée Thiers in Marseille, which Pagnol had himself once attended. It should not be confused with the Merlusse fairy, a depiction of Melusine in the Vosges (France).

Synopsis

A tough teacher charged with looking after the students left behind at a boarding school during the Christmas holidays rises to the challenge and comes to better understand the boys in his care.

Cast

  • Henri Poupon as Blanchard dit Merlusse
  • André Pollack as Le proviseur
  • Annie Toinon as Nathalie
  • Thommeray as Le censeur
  • Jean Castan as Galubert
  • Le Petit Jacques as Villepontoux
  • d'Armans as Philippard
  • Fernand Bruno as Catusse
  • Robert Aviérinos as Lupin
  • Robert Chaux as Godard
  • Dernard as Delacre
  • John Dubrou as Pic
  • Jean Inglesakis as Molinard
  • Le-Van-Kim as Macaque
  • Rellys as L'appariteur
  • André Robert as Le surveillant général
  • Armando Rossi as Le concierge

Reception

Writing for The Spectator in 1936, Graham Greene gave the film a good review, describing it simply as "a slightly sentimental tale". Greene praises Poupon in his portrayal of Merlusse, and expresses admiration for Pagnol's "simpleness, [and] directness".[2]

The film inspired Alexander Payne to make The Holdovers (2023), which has a similar plot.[3]

References

  1. ^ Michalczyk p.43
  2. ^ Greene, Graham (3 April 1936). "Merlusse/The Day of the Great Adventure/Desire". The Spectator. (reprinted in: John Russel, Taylor, ed. (1980). The Pleasure Dome. p. 62. ISBN 0192812866.)
  3. ^ Hammond, Pete (September 1, 2023). "The Holdovers Review". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 5, 2023.

Bibliography

  • Martin Garrett. Provence: A Cultural History. Andrews UK Limited, 2012.
  • John J. Michalczyk. The French literary filmmakers. Art Alliance Press, 1980.

External links

  • Merlusse at IMDb Edit this at Wikidata
  • v
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Drama
  • Topaze (1928)
  • Marius (1929)
  • Fanny (1931)
ProseFilms directed
  • Jofroi (1934)
  • Angèle (1934)
  • Merlusse (1935)
  • César (1936)
  • Topaze (1936)
  • Harvest (1937)
  • The Baker's Wife (1938)
  • Heartbeat (1938)
  • The Well-Digger's Daughter (1940)
  • The Pretty Miller Girl (1949)
  • Topaze (1951)
  • Manon of the Spring (1952)
  • Letters from My Windmill (1954)
Miscellaneous


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