Complete credited cast: | |||
Raimu | ... | Jules de l'Estaque | |
Fernandel | ... | Fernand | |
Jules Berry | ... | Burette | |
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Lisette Lanvin | ... | Antoinnette |
Georges Flamant | ... | Jim Stanford | |
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Doumel | ... | Le president du boxing-club |
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Marcel Maupi | ... | Le cireur (as Maupi) |
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Mado Stelli | ... | (as Mado Stelly) |
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Léna Darthès | ... | (as Léna Dartes) |
Nita Raya | ... | Lili | |
Julien Carette | ... | Vachette (as Carette) |
Jules and Fernand are waiters in a bar in Marseille. Fernand, in addition to the secret passion he feels for Antoinette, his friend's daughter, only lives for sport, which he practices as soon as his free time allows it. Here they are both engaged in the annual race of the waiters. Against all odds, Jules wins and prepares to pocket the 5,000 francs prize. But Burette, a crooked impresario, manages, thanks to one of these pirouettes of which he has the secret, to steal the jackpot from him, before leaving for Paris. Jules, in his footsteps, does the same, soon followed by Fernand. Once in the capital, repeated misunderstandings successively make Fernand pass for an automobile champion, then for a boxing ace.
A masterclass in comedy timing by Raimu, Fernandel, Berry and Carette. Encourages one to discover more of Colombier's work although sadly his films are not easily accessible. Comedy does not always travel well but this is a glorious exception. Should this film whet your appetite and you wish to see Fernandel in full flow, I would recommend the same director's 'Tricoche et Cacolet' from 1938.