La Cinématographie Française (1939)

138 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ CINE FR RAPHIE §E rXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXl * * * This inside stability, the productive balance, the industrial health of the French Cinéma, are the results of a continued work, which has recently sustained successfully two serious trials. The hrst one was when social troubles happened in France in 1936. This agitation which struck many other French industries did not affect much the cinéma. Morever it was just the time when a beautiful sériés of French films was produced. resuit to reduce the revenues from the this political and social crisis had the resuit to redce the revenues from the théâtres and to increase by one third the production cost. This was received without bending thanks to the supple adaptation of a market made up of a majority of small independent enterprises. The French Cinéma has just recovered from this situation when it had to sustain last september and april the counter-stroke of the international crisis. However repercussion on the receipts was very small and even the production whose finances could hâve been affected was not altered. On the contrary there was an increase of work in the studios. Therefore one cam grant a full confidence to the steadiness of the whole French film Industry. It may seem rather weak due to the scattering of its enterprises., but it is just this very scattering which makes the secret of its steadmess. P. A. Harlé. 1 939 F rench Production keeps pace with previous years’ activities Nord-Atlantique ( North Atlantic), a sea draina produced by Eclair-Journal and directed by Maurice Cloche based on an original story by O.P. Gilbert. Cast: Albert Préjean, René Dary, Pierre Renoir and Marie Dca, a very promising' young French actress. Entente Cordiale. One of the most important films ol' the year. Is is a 20-year ago cavalcade of the France-British relations starting with enmity at the time of Fachoda in 1898 and turning into a deep friendship due to the strong efforts of King Edward Vif and French Minister Delcassé. The film bas been produced by Max Glass and directed by Marcel L’Herbier with a lavish scenery and very large sets. The story has been inspired from André Maurois’ fanions book «Edward VII and Ibis time». Dialogues bv Abel Hermant. Screenplay by Steve Passeur. The all-star cast includes Gaby Morlay as Queen Victoria, Victor Francen as Edward VII, Arlette Marchai as Queen Alexandra, Jean Galland as Lord Kitchener, Jean d’Yd as Joe Chamberlain, Jean Périer as French President Emile Loubet, Jean Worms as Delcassé, Jacques Baumer as Clemenceau. Besides the historical events, there is a romantic interest with Pierre RichardWilm as Capitaine Roussel, Janine Darcey as young English girl and Bernard Lancret as the French journalist whom she will marry. Jeunes Filles en Détresse ( Young girls in Distress). This film of which action takes place in a girls college includes propaganda against divorce and its had conséquences on children. It was produ ced by Globe film and directed by G. AV. Pabst. Cast includes Marcelle Chantal, Jacqueline Delubac, André Luguet, Marguerite Moreno and an excellent troupe of young girls with Louisa Carletti and a new corner 16-year old Micheline Presle. La Grande Inconnue (Unknown Légion). An interesting feature documentary Une curieuse expression de Raimu dans Monsieur Brotonneau 60 FILMS PRODUCED SINCE JANUARY Ist Activity in the French studios is currently at the same point as it was one year ago with 25 films now in Production. Sixty feature-films hâve been produced for the first half of 1939 of which about 25 bave been already trade shown or released. The French films of 1939 will be as important in number and quality as during the last three previous years. Ir is now a fact recognized everywhere that the French production leads by far the European Production, a place which was acquired in 1936 One will find below a list of the most interesting French films released and produced during the second quarter of 1939 as well as the titles of the new pictures in préparation. Best Pictures Shown during the second quarter of 1939