The Old Guard (1960)
"Les vieux de la vieille" (original title)

Three old chums who are number ones in the business of practical jokes decide to leave their village from Vendée in France in order to go and live in a old people's nursing home. Pested off... See full summary »

Director:

Gilles Grangier

Writers:

Michel Audiard (dialogue), Michel Audiard (screenplay),

Stars:

Pierre Fresnay, Jean Gabin, Noël-Noël

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Pierre Fresnay	...	Baptiste Talon
Jean Gabin	...	Jean-Marie Péjat
Noël-Noël	...	Blaise Poulossière
Bruno Balp	...	L'ouvrier de la salle communale
Yane Barry	...	Mariette
Paul Bisciglia	...	Jojo, le fiancé de Mariette
Charles Bouillaud	...	Le fils Bleuzet
Denise Carvenne	...	La touriste en voiture
Pierre Collet	...	Le livreur de bières
Robert Dalban	...	Jérôme Ardouin, le fossoyeur
André Dalibert	...	Anselme Poulossière
Guy Decomble	...	Le chauffeur du car
Hélène Dieudonné	...	La supérieure de 'Gouyette'
Yvette Etiévant	...	Louise
Paul Faivre	...	Léon

Storyline

Three old chums who are number ones in the business of practical jokes decide to leave their village from Vendée in France in order to go and live in a old people's nursing home. Pested off and unable to stand their jokes any more, the villagers are more than happy to see them leaving off. But the three old men, soon enough, feeling bored of the nursing home, make up their mind to come back and settle down in the village.

---

Plot Keywords:

farce | based on novel

---

Genres:

Comedy

---

Details

Country:

France Italy

Language:

French

Release Date:

2 September 1960 (France)

Also Known As:

Der Himmel ist schon ausverkauft

Filming Locations:

Apremont, Vendée, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinétel, Cité Films, Fidès

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

User Reviews

Dated and loud!

A lot of Jean Gabin films are coming out on DVD these days. The actor certainly made some of the greatest french films of all time (La grande illusion, La bête humaine, Touchez pas au grisbi, Quai des brumes, etc.) but this film is one of his very worst. The most annoying thing here is how often the three main characters shout at each other. Not only are their dialogs not really that funny but all three actors have to say their lines with a thick countryman accent that makes them even uglier to listen to. Jean Gabin was a very faithful actor when it came to working with certain directors but obviously Gilles Grangier was no Jean Renoir and, as for most of Gabin and Grangier collaborations, you can surely skip this turkey!