Carnival in Flanders (1935)

Tells the story of the Spanish invasion of Flanders

Director:

Jacques Feyder

Writers:

Charles Spaak (short story), Bernard Zimmer (dialogue)

Stars:

Françoise Rosay, André Alerme, Jean Murat

5 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Françoise Rosay	...	Cornelia de Witte, Madame la Bourgmestre / Madame Burgomaster
André Alerme	...	Korbus de Witte, le bourgmestre / The Burgomaster (as Alerme)
Jean Murat	...	Le duc d'Olivarès / The Duke
Louis Jouvet	...	Le chapelain / The Priest
Lyne Clevers	...	La poissonnière / The Fish-Wife (as Lynne Clevers)
Micheline Cheirel	...	Siska
Maryse Wendling	...	La boulangère / The Baker's Wife
Ginette Gaubert	...	L'aubergiste / The Inn-Keeper's Wife
Marguerite Ducouret	...	La femme du brasseur / The Brewer's Wife
Bernard Lancret	...	Julien Breughel
Alfred Adam	...	Josef Van Meulen, le boucher
Pierre Labry	...	L'aubergiste / The Inn-Keeper
Arthur Devère	...	Le poissonnier / The Fishmonger (as Arthur Devere)
Marcel Carpentier	...	Le boulanger / The Baker
Alexander D'Arcy	...	Le capitaine / The Captain (as Alexandre Darcy)

Storyline

When the village of Boom, in Flanders, learns a Spanish Duke and his troops plan to pass the night, the 4-man army deserts and the Mayor plays dead; so the Mayor's wife organizes the townswomen to greet the invaders and preserve the peace with womanly wiles.

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Plot Keywords:

mayor | flanders | invasion | invader | duke | 

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Taglines:

First APPROVED Then CONDEMNED by the Legion of Decency

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Genres:

Comedy | History | Romance

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Did You Know?

Trivia

The film gave rise to protests in Belgium, mainly from certain members of the Flemish community. It went as far as an interpellation at the Chamber of Deputies in order to have the film banned in Belgium. The request was rejected; nevertheless, it was banned in the city of Bruges.

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Quotes

Cornelia de Witte, Madame la Bourgmestre: Let's get some fresh air.
Le duc d'Olivarès: I'd love to. I'm fond of people, except when they perspire.

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Connections

Featured in Fejezetek a film történetéböl: A francia lírai realizmus (1989)

User Reviews

She Stoops to Conquer!

"Carnival in Flanders"

This a clever, charming film that depicts the womenfolk of a Flemish village winning over Spanish invaders. The mayor's wife rallies the women to use all their power and resources to seduce the Spaniards--and it works!

There are some very funny moments involving the vigil for the "deceased" mayor (especially when the court midget blackmails him). Most films about the 17th Century are pretty stodgy, but "Carnival" is delight.

I recommend this film.

Details

Country:

France Germany

Language:

French

Release Date:

22 September 1936 (USA)

Also Known As:

Carnival in Flanders

Filming Locations:

Bruges, West Flanders, Belgium

Company Credits

Production Co:

Films Sonores Tobis

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1