This is the obscure film that Arletty made in 1938, the other was Hôtel du Nord, rather more famous. I wanted to see much more of those beautiful eyes than is on offer here; she has a small role as an actress who tries to lead our hero Daniel Eyssette into a dissolute life. It's a small but well-acted film with a star-studded cast that is sometimes very effective: whenever Jean Tissier, who plays Viot, the school guard with the huge key chain, is on screen, his brutal, conniving face will make you shudder. Robert le Vigan as Roger, the fencing master, is all moustachioed charm and not to be trusted.
Robert Lynen plays the hero; he is thin as a rail and his face is thin and eyes downcast whenever he faces humiliation, which is often. The happy ending surprises us, given the preceding events.
Robert Lynen plays the hero; he is thin as a rail and his face is thin and eyes downcast whenever he faces humiliation, which is often. The happy ending surprises us, given the preceding events.