Cent francs par seconde (1953)
Directed by Jean Boyer

Film Review

Inspired by the hugely popular French radio game show 100 francs par seconde, this likeable little comedy struggles to keep going (it essentially takes one idiotic plot idea and stretches it to ludicrous extremes) but is amply redeemed by its enthusiastic performances and a plethora of amusing one-liners.  Philippe Lemaire and Henri Génès are both excellent choices for the lead roles, one an amiable stooge who acquires a remarkable facility for answering general knowledge questions when he is bashed on the head, the other a greedy good-for-nothing who knows when he is onto a good thing and is always ready to lend a hand when some serious head-bashing is required.

As the businessman who looks set to be ruined by Lemaire's unexpected stroke of good fortune (aided by an all too convenient strike by France's railway workers) Fred Pasquali is equally entertaining and comes close to stealing the film.  An unexpected bonus is when the special guests Ray Ventura and Bourvil show up and fail to stymie Lemaire with their 'specialist knowledge' questions.  Jean Boyer directs Cent francs par seconde with his customary verve and whilst it is far from being his best film it has no difficulty whiling away a dull afternoon.  In some ways, it is the perfect antidote to all those facile game shows that have come to dominate every television channel and delight in showing us how ignorant we all are. Other French films inspired by popular radio shows include: La Famille Duraton (1939), Sur le banc (1955) and Signé Furax (1981).

Film Synopsis

Fernand is a good-for-nothing who takes part in radio competitions in the hope of winning the prizes on offer.  One day, he persuades a sympathetic young man named Philippe to take his place in one such competition, Cent francs par seconde, insisting that if Philippe wins he, Fernand, will receive a share of the winnings.  Fernand is certain that Philippe will win because, after suffering a head injury, he has somehow acquired the ability to answer every question he is asked successfully.  Sure enough, Philippe repeatedly wins the radio competition and threatens to ruin the man who organises it, the man who happens to be the father of the girl he loves...