THE LOWER DEPTHS
Another Jean Renoir film starring the great Jean Gabin as Pepel. Also stars another wonderful French actor, Louis Jouvet, who I enjoyed a lot in BETWEEN ELEVEN AND MIDNIGHT. He’s even better in this and, dare I say, steals every scene he’s in. The scenes between Jouvet and Gabin are worth the price of admission. Based on a play by Maxim Gorky, the story revolves around a flop house and the down and out people who live there, particularly Gabin, a thief, and Natacha, played by Junie Astor (who is savaged in reviews. Even Renoir said she was awful, that he hired her as a favor. I thought she was affecting if not perfect.) Into this world comes the Baron, played by Jouvet, who befriends Gabin after he catches him stealing in his house. The Baron gambles away his fortune and somewhat happily enters into Pepel’s world just as Pepel tries to escape it.
BODOU SAVED FROM DROWNING
Michel Simon is incredible as Bodou, a street person who jumps in the Siene River and is saved by a bourgeois bookseller, played by Charles Granval. He moves into the bookseller’s house, where the bookseller lives with his unhappy wife and his maid/mistress. Bodou is not pleased he was saved nor grateful for any hospitality. He is a nightmare as a house guest, rude, crude, a demanding, utter mess. But, he holds certain charms for the women. Simon is fully committed, he never for a second makes Bodou sentimental. I felt my own middle-class angst watching it, I guess initial French audiences did, too. I loved the ending. I won’t give it away, but it was the perfect denouement.
FAUST
Visually stunning silent film directed by F.W. Murnau. Tells the story of Faust’s bargain with Satan, through Mephisto, played by Emil Jannings. Faust (Gösta Ekman) agrees to the deal to regain his youth and the heart of Gretchen, played by Camilla Horn. The story is tragic and dramatic, and amazingly it never gets lost in the powerful visuals, which could easily overwhelm lesser actors or a lesser script. It is a must-see film, even if you’re not a huge fan of silents. It is pure artistry.
GOLD DIGGERS OF 1933
First in a series of three films by Busby Berkeley. This one stars Joan Blondell, Ruby Keeler, Aline MacMahon, Ginger Rogers, Dick Powell, Warren William, Guy Kibbee, and Ned Sparks. The woman are showgirls, and Powell is a composer and love interest for Keeler who finances a new show produced by Sparks. Turns out he’s a Boston blueblood and his brother, played by William, is determined to put an end to his bohemian lifestyle. The story is quick-paced and predictable, the performance numbers are a wonder, and it’s fun throughout. But, try as I might, pre-code is my least favorite era of film.
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