Ah! Les belles bacchantes (1954)

Director:

Jean Loubignac

Writers:

Francis Blanche (dialogue)
Robert Dhéry (screenplay)

Release Date:

13 June 1955 (Sweden)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

A small-town policeman is informed that "naked women" are dancing in a revue at a local variety theater. Being the guardian of public morals that he is, he decides to stroll on down there and check it out for himself. |

Plot Keywords:

Farce

Cast

Robert Dhéry	...	Robert Dhéry
Colette Brosset	...	Colette Brosset
Raymond Bussières	...	Le plombier / Plumber
Roger Caccia	...	Le curieux chauve (as Caccia)
Jacqueline Maillan	...	La directrice du théâtre / Theater Manager
Francis Blanche	...	Garibaldo Tronchet, le ténor
Jacques Beauvais
Jacques Jouanneau	...	Joseph Delmar, régisseur aux Folies Méricourt
Jacques Legras	...	Le présentateur
Roger Saget	...	Le gros homme dans la cabine de bain
Simone Claris
Robert Destain	...	Olaf Destain, l'annonceur
Guy Piérauld	...	Un musicien ambulant (as Guy Pierrault)
Michel Serrault	...	Le musicien à la trompette / Musician
Marthe Serres	...	La pianiste

Also Known As:

Femmes de Paris
Peek-a-boo (USA)

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

France | Italy

Language:

French

Color:

Color (Agfacolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:(Banned) (1955) | Finland:S (1961) | Sweden:15

Company:

Optimax Films

Movie Connections:

Featured in Louis de Funès ou Le pouvoir de faire rire (2003) (TV)

A delightful period piece with many surprises

This film appears to be aplauded by its own countrymen and derided by everyone else. I can only say, as an Englishman that I agree with my French counterparts! This film for me was a delightful surprise! It has to be viewed within the context in which it was made and anyone who thinks that the musical numbers are poor has really missed the point! The film captures in scenes of wonderfully absurd comedy, a rehearsal for a french revue in a second rate variety theatre. It was great fun to see Loius de Funes in an early supporting role, but I particularly like the whole feel of the film. At its most realistic, it really captures the feeling of being there in the theatre while chaos rules the rehearsal.

Many of the pieces are hilariously funny, not least the bathing hut scene on the beach and the monks finale piece. For anyone who cringes at the nudity, I was delighted to find it all left in, realistically and is it should be! Also nice to see Agfacolour, though I have to confess that the print I saw was a slightly faded Eastman colour print form my own archive. Never-the-less, a delight and one to be accepted for what it is. It is a delightful time capsule period piece and I loved it!