Flicker Alley and the Blackhawk Films Collection are presenting the Blu-ray debut of two newly remastered French film classics that have been unavailable in the U.S. for too many years: “Fanfare d”™amour” (1935) and “Mauvaise Graine” (1934).
Directed by Richard Pottier, “Fanfare d”™amour” follows Jean Rameau (Fernand Gravey) and Pierre Dupont (Julien Carette), two out-of-work musicians in search of stable employment who eventually set their sights on the female-led Tulips orchestra when they learn of two openings in the group. Jean and Pierre disguise themselves as women to audition, ultimately landing the job and joining the group as they travel, rehearse, and perform together, facing unexpected twists and turns along the way. A direct inspiration for Billy Wilder”™s 1959 classic “Some Like It Hot,” “Fanfare d”™amour” is rich with romantic comedy and musical numbers.
Billy Wilder made his directing debut with “Mauvaise Graine” in Paris before he left Europe for Hollywood. This film centers around Henri Pasquier (Pierre Mingand), a rich playboy who enjoys careening around Paris in his shiny Buick. When his father forces him to sell the car, Henri suffers a class-related existential crisis, and falls in with a local car theft gang in an attempt to get his Buick back. In doing so he not only learns about the underbelly of working for a living, but also falls for the seductive Jeannette (screen legend Danielle Darrieux, here only 17 years old).
The two films will be presented together starting Oct. 24 in a single Blu-ray release with a suggested retail price of $25.95.
