"Allo, Berlin? Ici Paris" (1932) is a comedy of mistaken identity starring a Josette Day so unattractively dressed and photographed that it's hard to credit that she actually is the very same entrancingly superlative beauty of Cocteau's delightful "Beauty and the Beast" (1946).
Fortunately, despite Josette Day's disappointing choice of wardrobe, the movie, "Hello, Berlin? This is Paris" distills plenty of atmosphere if nothing else and it is most imaginatively directed. I would say that Julien Duvivier was near his best in fact.
A pity I can't extend the same compliments for his next movie, a remake of his 1925 silent Poil de Carotte (1932) in which the direction is inclined to be much more static so that actors like Harry Baur can not only have their day, but have their way!
Fortunately, despite Josette Day's disappointing choice of wardrobe, the movie, "Hello, Berlin? This is Paris" distills plenty of atmosphere if nothing else and it is most imaginatively directed. I would say that Julien Duvivier was near his best in fact.
A pity I can't extend the same compliments for his next movie, a remake of his 1925 silent Poil de Carotte (1932) in which the direction is inclined to be much more static so that actors like Harry Baur can not only have their day, but have their way!