Pas de femmes (1932)
Directed by Mario Bonnard

Film Review

Pas de femmes started out as a stage play, performed and written by the actor-singer Georgius, then an immensely popular star of the French music hall, most famous for his song Au Lycée Papillon.  Transposed to the big screen by Italian director Mario Bonnard, with Georgius credited both as screenwriter and lead actor, the play becomes a breezy comedy, its ludicrous plot salvaged by some enjoyably over-the-top performances from a great comedy ensemble.  Partnering Georgius is another comedy superstar in the making, Fernandel, and whilst the former gets more screen time, the latter walks away with all the best gags.  Fernandel's impression of an American has to be seen to be believed.  Pierre Finaly and Teddy Dargy, a wonderful pair of eccentrics, also provide immense value as a creepy inventor (one who preys on male virgins) and his even creepier spinster secretary (ditto, presumably).   The humour is as scattergun and weirdly off-the-wall as the plot, but somehow the film just about holds together, carried by its lively performances and catchy musical numbers.  Georgius's collaborationist activities during the Occupation put paid to his career as a performer after the war, but he found a new lease of life as a crime writer.  His departure from the limelight was of course to Fernandel's gain...

Film Synopsis

At a pavement café, Lucien Lepur confides in his waiter friend Casimir the unhappy fact that although he is 26 years old he has never slept with a woman.  Shocked by this revelation, Casimir advises his friend that he should go at once and avail himself of the services of a prostitute.  Mixing up the address, Lucien ends up paying a call on Professor Branck, who coincidentally needs an adult male virgin for his latest experiment.  It seems that Branck has invented a machine that will confer immeasurable success on any individual who has never had intimate relations with the opposite sex.  Thanks to this remarkable invention, Lucien soon becomes a rich and successful businessman, but wealth does not bring happiness.  He craves the love of a good woman, but this is something Professor Branck intends to keep from him.  Luckily, he can count on Casimir to rescue him from his unfortunate predicament...