en Merlusse

Merlusse
Merlusse
Directed by	Marcel Pagnol
Written by	Marcel Pagnol
Produced by	Marcel Pagnol
Starring	Henri Poupon; André Pollack; Annie Toinon;
Cinematography	Albert Assouad
Edited by	Suzanne de Troeye
Music by	Vincent Scotto
Production; company	Films Marcel Pagnol
Distributed by	Films Marcel Pagnol
Release date	6 December 1935;
Running time	72 minutes
Country	France
Language	French

Merlusse is a 1935 French comedy drama film written and directed by Marcel Pagnol and starring Henri Poupon, André Pollack and Annie Toinon.^[1] It was shot at the Lycée Thiers in Marseille, which Pagnol had himself once attended. It should not be confused with the Merlusse fairy, a depiction of Melusine in the Vosges (France).

Synopsis

A tough teacher charged with looking after the students left behind at a boarding school during the Christmas holidays rises to the challenge and comes to better understand the boys in his care.

Cast

Henri Poupon as Blanchard dit Merlusse
André Pollack as Le proviseur
Annie Toinon as Nathalie
Thommeray as Le censeur
Jean Castan as Galubert
Le Petit Jacques as Villepontoux
d'Armans as Philippard
Fernand Bruno as Catusse
Robert Aviérinos as Lupin
Robert Chaux as Godard
Dernard as Delacre
John Dubrou as Pic
Jean Inglesakis as Molinard
Le-Van-Kim as Macaque
Rellys as L'appariteur
André Robert as Le surveillant général
Armando Rossi as Le concierge

Reception

Writing for The Spectator in 1936, Graham Greene gave the film a good review, describing it simply as "a slightly sentimental tale". Greene praises Poupon in his portrayal of Merlusse, and expresses admiration for Pagnol's "simpleness, [and] directness".^[2]

The film inspired Alexander Payne to make The Holdovers (2023), which has a similar plot.^[3]

References

^ Michalczyk p.43
^ Greene, Graham (3 April 1936). "Merlusse/The Day of the Great Adventure/Desire". The Spectator. (reprinted in: John Russel, Taylor, ed. (1980). The Pleasure Dome. p. 62. ISBN 0192812866.)
^ Hammond, Pete (September 1, 2023). "The Holdovers Review". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 5, 2023.

Bibliography

Martin Garrett. Provence: A Cultural History. Andrews UK Limited, 2012.
John J. Michalczyk. The French literary filmmakers. Art Alliance Press, 1980.

External links

Merlusse at IMDb

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[1] Michalczyk p.43

[2] Greene, Graham (3 April 1936). "Merlusse/The Day of the Great Adventure/Desire". The Spectator. (reprinted in: John Russel, Taylor, ed. (1980). The Pleasure Dome. p. 62. ISBN 0192812866.)

[3] Hammond, Pete (September 1, 2023). "The Holdovers Review". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 5, 2023.

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