Rigolboche (1936)
Directed by Christian-Jaque

Film Review

Even though it features one of the great legends of the French music hall, Rigolboche manages to be one of Christian-Jaque's most forgettable films, a stilted melodrama that seems to have been put together by a gang of chronic narcoleptics.  Having appeared in numerous short films in the silent era, Mistinguett was sixty then she made this, her one and only sound picture, and despite every effort to hide her advanced years, she looks it.   Although the singer had next to no talent as an actress, her presence does at least bring some warmth and cheer to a generally lacklustre production, which is let down most by its hideously hackneyed narrative and an almost complete lack of directorial flair.  (Christian-Jaque was never at his best when handling uninspired crowdpleasers such as this.)  Mistinguett comes into her own with the film's two (why only two?) big musical numbers - Pour être heureux, chantez! and Oui, je suis d'Paris - but for the most part she is ill-used, invariably shot from the same angle (a low shot of her left profile), no doubt to help hide the wrinkles, whilst the more experienced members of the cast muddle through the thankless drudgery of keeping the plot from totally stalling.  André Lefaur and Jules Berry give it their best shot but ultimately their efforts are wasted - Rigolboche is a blight on both of their careers.

Film Synopsis

In Dakar, the singer Lina Bourget manages a seedy nightclub.  One of her clients, Lucien Mirvaux, tries to extort money from her.  During a boat trip, Lina pushes Mirvaux into the river and, thinking he has drowned, she hastily leaves town without notifying her lover Frédo.  On the boat to France, Lina is approached by the Count de Saint-Servan, but she rejects his advances.  Once she arrives in Paris, Lina's first thought is to visit her son, Cricri, whom she has placed in the care of a nurse, Madame Corbin.  She then looks for work and is soon hired as a singer under the name Rigolboche at the nightclub Gloria.  The Count de Saint-Servan reappears and takes Lina under his wing, offering her a theatre where she can stage her first revue.  Just when Lina appears to have put her past behind her, her ex-lover Frédo shows up and accuses her of murdering Mirvaux...