The director Christian Stengel directed mostly comedies (la Famille Duraton, Je Chante, Rome Express, Mourrez nous ferons le reste, Casse-cou mademoiselle, Vacances Explosives ...) but few dramas (Rêves d'Amour, Village Perdu, Pas de pitié pour les femmes). He also wrote scripts for Pierre Chenal in the 30's. "La Figure de Proue" is a strong drama of a sailor (George Marchal) obsessed by the figurehead of the ship he's sailing on. And while at rest in a village, he meets a woman that has the face of his figurehead, their relation instantly becomes conflicting. At the same time, he has the opportunity to get married with a sweet young girl. But the sailor cannot control his sailing volatility. Until ... Strong melodrama (waah the romantic-erotic scene with the figurehead), but George Marchal is real great.
Review of La figure de proue
