The Diary of a Chambermaid (1946)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Jean Renoir

Writers:

Burgess Meredith (screenplay)
Octave Mirbeau (adapted from the novel by)

Release Date:

15 February 1946 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

Celestine, the chambermaid, has a new job in the country, at the Lanlaires. She has decided to use her beauty to seduce a wealthy man...

Plot Keywords:

Chambermaid | Valet | Tuberculosis | Henpecked Husband | Wrong Side Of The Tracks

Cast

Paulette Goddard	...	Célestine
Burgess Meredith	...	Captain Mauger
Hurd Hatfield	...	Georges Lanlaire
Francis Lederer	...	Joseph
Judith Anderson	...	Madame Lanlaire
Florence Bates	...	Rose
Irene Ryan	...	Louise
Reginald Owen	...	Captain Lanlaire
Almira Sessions	...	Marianne

Runtime:

86 min | USA:91 min (director's cut)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

UK:15 | Finland:K-16 | USA:Approved (MPAA rating: certificate #11175) | Sweden:15

Company:

Benedict Bogeaus Production

Goofs:

Boom mic visible: When the Captain (Meredith) is going to the July 14 celebration, the shadow of the boom and mic are visible.

Quotes:

Georges Lanlaire: I never found the urge to live or die on a big scale.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Tiovivo c. 1950 (2004)

Inside A Fascinating House

I cannot pretend to explain all the allusions and metaphors Renoir intended to convey with this impressionistic comedy. Paulette Goddard, as the main character, is magnificent. She conveys her feelings and thoughts through her diary, but in a manner that is always blurry and full of confusion. And speaking of confusion, Hurd Hatfield is on hand as the scion of the odd home. Burgess Meredith, Francis Lederer, and Irene Ryan all add terrific seriocomic support in their roles.

Be prepared to experience many conflicting feelings while viewing this film.