The Diary of a Chambermaid (1946)

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. But Mr Lanlaire is not a right choice: all the house ... See full summary »

Director:

Jean Renoir

Writers:

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

Stars:

Paulette Goddard, Burgess Meredith, Hurd Hatfield

1 win.

Cast

Complete credited 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

Storyline

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. But Mr Lanlaire is not a right choice: all the house is firmly controlled by Mme Lanlaire, helped by the strange valet Joseph. Then she tries the neighbour, ex-officer Mauger. This seems to work. But soon the son of the Lanlaires comes back. He is young, attractive, and does not share his mother's anti-republicans opinions. So Celestine's beauty attracts Captain Mauger, young Georges Lanlaire, and also Joseph. Three men, from three different social classes, with three different conceptions of life. Will Celestine be able to convince Georges of her sincerity ? Will sinister and inflexible Joseph let his views upon Celestine be ruined ? A quite disillusioned depiction of humanity.

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Plot Keywords:

chambermaid | valet | france | eccentric | master servant relationship | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 February 1946 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dnevnik jedne sobarice

Company Credits

Production Co:

Benedict Bogeaus Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min 91 min (director's cut)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

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

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Quotes

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

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Connections

Version of Diary of a Chambermaid (1964)

User Reviews

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.