Movie spotlight
Debout là-dedans !
A student monitor in a high school in the French provinces has no control over the pupils. He is in love with the caretaker's daughter but his superior, the Dean of Discipline, is also his love rival. Now, the two men are sent on military temporary duty and irony has it that in the Army the Dean is only a private whereas the mere supervisor's rank is ... corporal!
Insights
Plot Summary
Fernand, a simple car mechanic, dreams of winning the affections of the beautiful Simone, who is engaged to a wealthy industrialist. To impress her and her family, he pretends to be a rich aviator. His charade leads to a series of comical misunderstandings and escapades as he tries to maintain his fabricated identity and win Simone's heart.
Critical Reception
This early Fernandel comedy was a popular vehicle for the beloved French actor, showcasing his natural comedic talent. While not a critically acclaimed masterpiece, it provided lighthearted entertainment and contributed to Fernandel's rising stardom in the 1930s.
What Reviewers Say
Fernandel's comedic timing is the main draw.
A light and amusing romantic comedy.
Relies on familiar comedic tropes and mistaken identity.
Google audience: Audience reviews from the era and subsequently highlight the film's simple charm and Fernandel's performance as its primary strengths. It is remembered as a pleasant, feel-good movie that succeeded in its goal of providing entertainment.
Fun Fact
This film marked one of the early directorial efforts of Christian-Jaque, who would go on to become a prolific and successful French filmmaker, known for epics like 'Fanfan la Tulipe'.
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