Bal Cupidon (1949)
Directed by Marc-Gilbert Sauvajon

Film Review

Quite what Pierre Blanchar had done to justify being thrown into this disastrous comedy thriller is anyone's guess but you can't help pitying him as he sinks deeper and deeper into the mire of mediocrity, with director Marc-Gilbert Sauvajon doing his best to extinguish this onetime bright star of French cinema.  Bal Cupidon is nothing more than the lamest pastiche of an American thriller farce, and juggles the well-worn clichés with almost complete ineptitude as the plot clumsily unravels before our eyes.  It is possible that with a more compatible leading duo than the totally ill-matched Blanchar and Simone Renant the film might have had some mileage, and might even have extracted a few respectful laughs, but as it is the film is an unmitigated dud.  The humour, such as it is, is strained to the point that it is more likely to cause you to grind your teeth than exercise those laughter lines, and the plot is nothing more than a recycled murder mystery of the dullest kind - no intrigue, no depth, just mind-numbing, time-wasting, soul-destroying tedium.  Marc-Gilbert Sauvajon did direct a few amiable films - his Maurice Chevalier vehicle Ma pomme (1950) is an enjoyable romp - but none of these make up for Bal Cupidon, his biggest misfire.

Film Synopsis

After causing a road accident by driving too fast, Flip finds himself in court, and prosecution lawyer Isabelle Plessis takes immense pleasure in seeing him sent to prison.  Isabelle latter learns that Flip is an amateur detective of no mean standing and she realises she needs his help in solving a mysterious murder at a top Paris nightclub.  With a friend of hers suspected of being the killer, Isabelle has to swallow her pride and engage Flip's professional services.  Being the perfect gentleman, Flip is more than willing to oblige.  He and Isabelle will prove to be a formidable pair of sleuths....