Paris When It Sizzles is an unusual screwball comedy to say the least. Whether it works is another matter, but the premise and humour are interesting enough to make it enjoyable. The basic problem with the film is its two stars: William Holden and Audrey Hepburn hardly sizzle with onscreen chemistry, and Hepburn's character, Miss Simpson, falls far too easily into the hands of Holden's drunken screen writer. However, the story is an interesting play on the typical Hollywood romance, with two plot lines running in parallel to each other. Holden's Richard Benson has only two days to finish a script for an enigmatic producer (Noel Coward). Hepburn's Miss Simpson is drafted in as the typist and as the script is dictated it manifests itself on the screen, allowing the two lead characters to play out any number of romantic stories. It's the cameo appearances in the imaginary world that really steal the show, with the blink-and-you'll-miss-it last screen appearance by Marlene Dietrich, as well as Tony Curtis having fun with his own screen persona. It's not one of Hepburn or Holden's best, but is worth a look purely for the interesting slant on the mechanical nature of Hollywood's romances. On the DVD Paris When It Sizzles offers little of any note in regards to special features, with only an extended trailer (which seems to try and sell the film on the merits of the stars alone). The mono soundtrack is nothing special, though the print has cleaned up nicely, offering a 1.78:1 widescreen picture that brings the Technicolor to life. --Nikki Disney
In Paris at the turn of the 19th Century, Casque D'Or follows the love affair between gangster's moll, Marie (Simone Signoret, Room At The Top, Les Diaboliques) and reformed criminal Georges Manda (Serge Reggiani, Les Miserables, The Pianist). When mob boss, Felix Leca (Claude Dauphin), takes an active interest in their affair, an underworld rivalry ensues leading to a treacherous and tragic end. Casque D'Or is a classic, poetic tale of doomed romance based on the true-life Leca-Manda scandal. Evoking the Belle Epoque period perfectly and with an unforgettable femme fatale performance from Signoret, Casque D'Or is considered a Becker masterpiece.
In Paris at the turn of the 19th Century, Casque D'Or follows the love affair between gangster's moll, Marie (Simone Signoret, Room At The Top, Les Diaboliques) and reformed criminal Georges Manda (Serge Reggiani, Les Miserables, The Pianist). When mob boss, Felix Leca (Claude Dauphin), takes an active interest in their affair, an underworld rivalry ensues leading to a treacherous and tragic end. Casque D'Or is a classic, poetic tale of doomed romance based on the true-life Leca-Manda scandal. Evoking the Belle Epoque period perfectly and with an unforgettable femme fatale performance from Signoret, Casque D'Or is considered a Becker masterpiece.
Jacques Becker lovingly evokes the Belle poque Parisian demimonde in this classic tale of doomed romance. When gangster's moll Marie (Simone Signoret) falls for reformed criminal Manda (Serge Reggiani) their passion incites an underworld rivalry that leads inexorably to treachery and tragedy. With poignant nuanced performances and sensuous black-and-white photography Casque d'or is Becker at the height of his cinematic powers - an achingly romantic masterpiece.
In this comedy Louis de Funes is a top restaurant critic the head of an important French culinary guide. At the beginning of the film he and his son (Coluche) are at odds as the son prefers working as a circus clown to studying the fine arts of gastronomy. The two join forces however to thwart the greedy owner of a chain of inferior restaurants who plans to take over the finest restaurants in France and substitute his formulaic fodder for real cooking. Another lure bringing the son into the picture is a lovely secretary working for the guide.
The King and the Mockingbird is a classic French animated film written by Jacques Prévert (Les Enfants du Paradis) and Paul Grimault (The Little Soldier) based on Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale The Shepherdess and the Chimney Sweep. Charles the XVIth reigns tyrannically over the kingdom of Takicardie. Only brightly feathered Mockingbird a playful and talkative fellow who has built his nest high up in the gigantic palace near His Majesty's secret chambers dares to make fun of him. In love with a beautiful and demure shepherdess the King wants to force her to marry him. However the young girl is in love with a brave little chimney sweep. Helped by the Mockingbird they run away to escape the King's evil clutches... Directed by Paul Grimault the king and the mockingbird is a masterpiece which inspired a whole generation of international directors such as Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away).
A veteran Hollywood screenwriter goes to Paris to write the screenplay of his career--in three days. Lacking fresh ideas he turns to his gamine secretary to provide fuel for his imagination and they come up with various scenarios for his screenplay called 'The Girl Who Stole The Eiffel Tower'. William Holden and Audrey Hepburn heat up the main characters with terrific supporting help from the likes of Frank Sinatra Noel Coward Tony Curtis Fred Astaire Marlene Dietrich and the glorious city of Paris.
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