Deburau (1951)

Jean-Gaspard Deburau is a very successful mime, the most famous in his category. One day, he falls head over heels in love with Marie Duplessis, a courtesan better known as "La Dame aux ... See full summary »

Director:

Sacha Guitry

Writer:

Sacha Guitry

Stars:

Sacha Guitry, Lana Marconi, Henri Belly

Cast

Credited cast:
Sacha Guitry	...	Jean-Gaspard Deburau / himself
Lana Marconi	...	Marie Duplessis
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Henri Belly	...	Un journaliste
Georges Bever	...	Laurent (as Bever)
Claire Brilletti	...	Clara
Jacques d'Herville
Jean Danet	...	Armand Duval
Christine Darbel	...	Honorine
Jacques de Féraudy	...	Le docteur
Jacques Derives	...	Laplace
Albert Duvaleix	...	Robillard (as Jean Duvaleix)
Luce Fabiole	...	Mme. Rébard
Françoise Fechter	...	Justine
Michel François	...	Charles Deburau fils
Jeanne Fusier-Gir	...	Mme. Raboin

Storyline

Jean-Gaspard Deburau is a very successful mime, the most famous in his category. One day, he falls head over heels in love with Marie Duplessis, a courtesan better known as "La Dame aux Camélias". But he soon realizes that he is but a number in her long list of lovers. He will find comfort in devoting his time teaching his art to his son Charles.

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Plot Keywords:

clown

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

29 June 1951 (France)

Filming Locations:

Studios de la rue Francoeur, Paris 18, Paris, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Compagnie Industrielle et Commerciale Cinématographique (CICC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

User Reviews

And may I stay forever young.

Guitry's fascination for getting old was glaring in the last part of his career.Some of his works dealt directly (as in the present work) with the problems faced by an aging director who wonders if he can still keep it together."Si Versailles M'Etait Conté" showed an aging Louis XIV,in the Maintenon years ;"Si Paris M'Etait Conté" showed an old Voltaire .But it was "Debureau" that revealed the director's fears.

Not a very entertaining work,more interesting than really enjoyable;it does not give as much pleasure as such works as "Les Perles De La Couronne" or one of the two movies I mention above.In spite of its dialog written in verse,it's an almost frightening meditation upon mortality,Guitry's most confessional film .

Deburau (spelled Debureau) was a character in Carné's masterpiece "Les Enfants Du Paradis";but Guitry's Deburau has become an old mime whose life is coming to nothing when he has to retire and when his lover leaves him for another younger suitor .The last picture,in spite of its "the show must go on" feeling ,is the saddest in all Guitry's movies.

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