Liliom (1934)

Two women love the same man in a world of few prospects. In Budapest, Liliom is a "public figure," a rascal who's a carousel barker, loved by the experienced merry-go-round owner and by a ... See full summary »

Director:

Fritz Lang

Writers:

Ferenc Molnár (play) (as Franz Molnár), Robert Liebmann (adaptation)

Stars:

Charles Boyer, Madeleine Ozeray, Robert Arnoux

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Charles Boyer	...	Liliom Zadowski
Madeleine Ozeray	...	Julie Boulard / Liliom and Julie's daughter
Robert Arnoux	...	Le tourneur (the Lathe Turner)
Roland Toutain	...	Le marin ivre (The Drunken Sailor)
Alexandre Rignault	...	Hollinger
Henri Richard	...	Le commissaire - The Commissioner
Marcel Barencey	...	Le policier du Purgatoire - Purgatory Cop (as Barencey)
Raoul Marco	...	L'inspecteur - The Detective
Antonin Artaud	...	Le rémouleur (The Knife Grinder)
Léon Arvel	...	L'employé du commissariat (Police station employee)
René Stern	...	Le caissier - Cashier
Mimi Funes	...	Marie (as Mimi Funès)
Maximilienne	...	Mme. Menoux
Viviane Romance	...	La marchande de cigarettes - Cigarette Girl
Mila Parély	...	La dactylo - Typist

Storyline

Two women love the same man in a world of few prospects. In Budapest, Liliom is a "public figure," a rascal who's a carousel barker, loved by the experienced merry-go-round owner and by a young, innocent maid. The maid, Julie, loses her job after going out with Liliom; he's fired by his jealous employer for going out with Julie. The two lovers move in with Julie's aunt; unemployment emasculates him and a local weasel tempts him with crime. Julie, now wan, is true to Liliom even in his bad temper. Meanwhile, a stolid widower, a carpenter, wants to marry Julie. Is there any future on this earth for Julie and Liliom, whose love is passionate rather than ideal?

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Plot Keywords:

one word title | forename as title | merry go round | playing cards | cheating | 

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy

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Certificate:

Unrated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Fritz Lang's only film made in France (at Fox's European division) after fleeing there from Nazi Germany. After this production Lang would emigrate to the United States, but it would be two years until his next film, Fury (1936).

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Quotes

[first lines]
Liliom Zadowski: Step right up, ladies and gentlemen! The Hippo-Palace, elegant amusement for all! Glad to see you back, ma'am. You should buy a season pass! Just like a jockey, grip with your knees! Careful with your stockings! Calling all riders! Saddle up!

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Crazy Credits

The two angels who play such an important role in the film are completely unmentioned in the cast.

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Alternate Versions

The original video release of this (on Sinister Video) in 1998 did not have subtitles, and was cut by half-an-hour. The current DVD and VHS release on Kino has subtitles and is the full-length version of the film.

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Connections

Featured in Rodgers & Hammerstein: The Sound of Movies (1996)

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Soundtracks

Viens, Gosse de Gosse
(uncredited)
Music by Jean Lenoir
Lyrics by Jean Lenoir
Performed by Charles Boyer

User Reviews

No-Frills "Carousel"

Saw this picture was playing at the Film Forum so I said, what the heck, why not? At least I can compare it to "Carousel". And so, I was not prepared for it and was pleasantly surprised. It is a minimalist (to use current artsy language) version with spare sets and shot entirely on a sound stage, and featuring Charles Boyer as Liliom as I had never seen him before. It was a great performance from Boyer, almost unrecognizable from the oily gigolo types he played in Hollywood. Boisterous and exuberant, he brings his character to life, and now I can't imagine anyone else playing this role.

Apart from no musical score, this picture differs from "Carousel" as Liliom enters his afterlife. In "Carousel", the sequence in heaven was almost an afterthought, but here Lang infuses it with some touches that are both surreal and extremely imaginative, and without the benefit of digital enhancement. No special effects here. I didn't care for Madeleine Ozeray's interpretation of the Julie character, which came off as naive and withdrawn, almost a form of neurosis. But she, like the rest of the cast, stayed out of Boyer's way. Recommended - see it if you are a fan of actors and acting.

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

15 May 1934 (France)

Also Known As:

Liliom

Company Credits

Production Co:

Les Productions Fox Europa

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min 85 min (edited) 118 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1