Film Review
When he signed on for
Casimir,
Fernandel had two decades of film acting behind him. Although in
that time he had worked with the finest - for example, writer-director
Marcel Pagnol, for whom he made several films, not least
The Well-Digger's Daughter - he
didn't really need a top director to make popular films. This may
be just as well, for Richard Pottier was a journeyman at best.
Like Michael Curtiz and Alexander Korda, he hailed from Hungary, but
that was about all they had in common.
As journeymen go, however, Pottier was certainly competent, as the five
films he shot for Continental testify. With
Casimir, all he had to do was turn
Fernandel loose, ensure the lens cap was off and point the camera at
him. Once again, Fernandel is an inept employee who is just this
side of being a complete buffoon. He's not having much luck
selling vacuum cleaners when he is mistaken for a painter of abstract
art by an eccentric woman who decides he is the answer to a maiden's
prayer. From that point, there is only one way to go and
Fernandel does his best to make us enjoy the ride.
© Leon Nock (London, England) 2010
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Next Richard Pottier film:
Meurtres (1950)
Film Synopsis
Success may so far have eluded him in his chosen career but Casimir is
certain that he will soon make enough money as a travelling salesman to
allow him to marry his beloved fiancée. The reason for his
confidence is the miniature vacuum cleaner - the answer to every
housewife's prayer. Things do not start out well for Casimir as
he tries to foist this latest marvel on a wary world. Doors that are
opened to him are quickly slammed in his face. Entering a
mental institution, he is almost certified as a madman. Then he is
mistaken for a well-known abstract artist by a hot-blooded woman from
South America. She is determined that he, Casimir, is the love of
her life and would rather kill him than let another woman possess
him. Not a very promising start...
© James Travers
The above content is owned by frenchfilms.org and must not be copied.