Adorables créatures (1952)
Directed by Christian-Jaque

Film Review

A graduate of the École nationale des arts décoratifs de Paris, Christian Maudet began working with Jacques Chabraison on the design of film posters, their work being signed by their respective first names.  Maudet would adopt the name  Christian-Jaque for himself when he started making films in 1932.  In an exceptionally long career that spanned 45 years, he would direct 68 films, including three anthology films and six shorts.   Christian-Jaque's uneven oeuvre is strewn with some impressive pieces, although there are many that have not withstood the passage of time.

After Fanfan la Tulipe, one of the highlights of his career,  Christian-Jaque unveiled his latest work, Adorables créatures, on 5th September 1952.  A comedy of manners, this anthology film depicts the amorous recollections of a young man who is about to get married.  Charles Spaak's script, pepped up by some dialogue contributions from Michel Audiard, injects a streak of nastiness and cruelty into the 'adorable creatures' of the film's title.  At the time, the film's prudish critics were shocked by the levity with which it tackled such a serious subject as infidelity.  The staunchest opponent of the film was La Centrale catholique du cinéma, which advised the public to stay away from this 'amoral and cynical film'.  Of course, attitudes have changed enormously since the film was released, and so it no longer has the same impact.

The Don Juan of the piece is played by Daniel Gélin, a juvenile lead often used in light comedies of the 1950s.  The first segment of the film, probably the weakest, is a kind of Théâtre de boulevard in which an irritable but delicious society woman (diva Danielle Darrieux) is shared between a young lover and a wealthy husband.  Things improve in the second story, where Christian-Jaque employs his talents to promote his actress and wife Martine Carol, who is well-cast as a whimsical young woman who has no qualms over seducing her friend's fiancé.  The best comes at the end, in a perfectly formed sketch in which an elegant and sophisticated benefactress (an impeccable Edwige Feuillère) helps the poor and needy, providing they are young and beautiful.

Like his model, George Cukor, Christian-Jaque does not neglect his supporting artistes, who include his ex-wife, the magnificent Renée Faure, and some fine actors such as Louis Seigner and Georges Chamarat.  The young and restless Antonella Lualdi was imposed on the film by its Italian producers.  Adorables créatures had everything it needed to be a popular success, not least of which was a cast of exceptional quality, directed by a man who knew how to get the best out of them.

Film Synopsis

André Noblet is a respected fashion designer who leads the most turbulent love life.  He is devastated when his mistress Christine leaves him and goes back to her husband, but things pick up when he encounters the lovely Minouche, who is just the kind of woman he likes best. André and Minouche soon strike up a friendship and within no time they are agreeing to share their winter sports holiday together. Alas, things do not go as planned - André injures his foot and whilst he is recuperating Minouche goes off with another man.  On his return to Paris, André seduces the older Denise Aubusson, a society woman who works for a charity foundation.  This latest affair ends badly, thanks to Denise's protégée, Alice, a reformed thief with a very jealous temperament...