The Restaurant (1966)

Top-notch french restaurant owner Monsieur Septime is involved into crime when one of his famous guests disappears.

Director:

Jacques Besnard

Writers:

Jacques Besnard (adaptation), Jean Halain

Stars:

Louis de Funès, Bernard Blier, Maria-Rosa Rodriguez

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Louis de Funès	...	Monsieur Septime
Bernard Blier	...	Le commissaire divisionnaire
Maria-Rosa Rodriguez	...	Sophia
Venantino Venantini	...	Henrique
Juan Ramírez	...	Le général
Noël Roquevert	...	Le ministre
Folco Lulli	...	Le président Novalès
Yves Arcanel	...	Henri
René Berthier
Albert Dagnant	...	Un conspirateur
Robert Dalban	...	Le conspirateur francais
Eugene Deckers	...	Le complice de Novalès (as Eugène Deckers)
Robert Destain	...	Le baron
Bernard Dumaine	...	Le client satisfait
Jacques Dynam	...	Un serveur

Storyline

M. Septime rules the renowned Paris restaurant "Chez Septime" with an iron fist. Grovelling before his rich and powerful customers, M. Septime feels free to treat his employees like children at best or like slaves at worst. M. Septime would be very happy if things just continued the way they are. But Destiny will have it otherwise. Indeed one day, Novales, a South American president, disappears while dining in his restaurant and it looks as if Septime has something to do with it.

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Plot Keywords:

restaurant owner | control freak | disguise | pianist | farce | 

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Genres:

Action | Comedy

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French German

Release Date:

9 September 1966 (France)

Also Known As:

What's Cooking in Paris

Filming Locations:

Parc de Saint-Cloud, Saint-Cloud, Hauts-de-Seine, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gaumont International

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

First film directed by Jacques Besnard.

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Goofs

When the sliding upside-down car finally comes to a stop on the frozen lake, you can clearly see that there's no one inside it, which conflicts with the close up interior shots of Monsieur Septime and the secretary.

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Connections

Featured in Look Who's Back (2015)

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Soundtracks

Le Grand Restaurant
Written and Performed by Jean Marion

User Reviews

The moment « El Presidente » vanishes, the story too ! (vhs) (DVD)

A cult comedy is from my point of view, a movie in which you can't remember all the funny moments and therefore, you are always happy to discover them again and again.

So, there, I knew that De Funes was a terrible, tyrannic boss of a great restaurant but his manners eluded me while they are really funny! He's truly the best actor in this field and beyond, a very talented one. As Al (Pacino), I feel that De Funes exudes humanity, compassion and class behind all his jokes…

In addition, as it figures among the oldest movies I saw, it was great to see Paris an half-century ago. Besides cars and trends, I feel that Paris was more "green" with trees than actually.

Unfortunately, when the main thing is served, the script becomes strange: a mix between Bond for the aquatic car and the Pink Panther for the winter sequence… We are far away of the restaurant!

In conclusion, great appetizers but the menu left me wanting for more!