Air of Paris (1954)

The story of Andre Menard, a promising young amateur boxer from an impoverished background who is mentored by former pro Victor Le Garrec, and whose career path takes a nosedive when he falls for the wealthy Corinne.

Director:

Marcel Carné

Writers:

Marcel Carné (adaptation), Jacques Sigurd (adaptation)

Stars:

Jean Gabin, Arletty, Roland Lesaffre

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jean Gabin	...	Victor Le Garrec
Arletty	...	Blanche Le Garrec
Roland Lesaffre	...	André Ménard
Marie Daëms	...	Corinne
Maria Pia Casilio	...	Maria Pozzi
Ave Ninchi	...	Mme. Pozzi
Simone Paris	...	Chantal
Marcelle Praince	...	Vieille dame
Mathilde Casadesus	...	Voyageuse (as Mathilde Casadessus)
Maurice Sarfati	...	Jojo
Lucien Raimbourg	...	Hospital worker
Séraphin Ferrer	...	Boxer (as Sébastien Ferrer)
Legendre	...	Boxer
Streicher	...	Boxer
Roger Michelot	...	Coach

Storyline

The story of Andre Menard, a promising young amateur boxer from an impoverished background who is mentored by former pro Victor Le Garrec, and whose career path takes a nosedive when he falls for the wealthy Corinne.

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Plot Keywords:

place name in title | paris france | city name in title | based on novel | 

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Genres:

Drama | Sport

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

France Italy

Language:

French

Release Date:

24 September 1954 (France)

Also Known As:

Aerul Parisului

Filming Locations:

Paris Studios Cinéma, Billancourt, Hauts-de-Seine, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Del Duca Films, Galatea Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the Italian post-synchronized version, the actors are dubbed by: Emilio Cigoli (Jean Gabin), Lydia Simoneschi (Arletty), Stefano Sibaldi (Roland Lessaffre) and Vinicio Sofia (Folco Lulli). Maria Pia Casilio who was still on location in France filming The Adultress (1953) was not able to get back to Rome in time for the post synchronization so it was Rosetta Calavetta who lent her voice for the role of the shy Maria Pozzi. Only Ave Ninchi ended up dubbing herself.

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Connections

Featured in Cinema: Alguns Cortes - Censura III (2015)

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Soundtracks

L'Air de Paris
Music by Marc Heyral
Lyrics by Francis Lemarque
Performed by Yves Montand

User Reviews

A Tale of Two Classes

L'Air de Paris, a film about the dreams and realities of a young boxer by the name of André Menard (Lesaffre) is set in 1950's Paris. The film starts rather slowly and the plot only picks up towards the middle of the film as André and his bourgeois love interest Corinne (Daëms) begin to get closer together. The difference of class status between the two makes compelling viewing, especially when Corinne attends a boxing match to watch André fight, largely frequented by the rowdy, working class Parisian faithful. The boxing scenes are convincing with Jean Gabin playing the role of André's coach effectively as the wise old ex-professional. In the earlier scenes of the film, Gabin and Arletty really connect and seem very natural alongside each other. The underlying theme is of the internal struggle of André and Corinne to break free from their social backgrounds and from being stereotyped by society and their close friends. This film is a tale of two classes.