Directed by Marc Allégret
1934/France
Les Films H. Roussillon/Productions Arys
First viewing
Beautiful? It’s all a question of luck. I was born with good legs. As for the rest… beautiful, no. Amusing, yes. — Josephine Baker
Zouzou (Josephine Baker) and Jean (Jean Gabin) performed in the circus as “twins” as children and grew up as brother and sister. Zouzou is in love with Jean. When he is falsely arrested, she enters show business to get the money to defend him. Will Jean see the light?
This is the French equivalent of a backstage musical and very charming, if not as polished as a Hollywood production. I have read about Josephine Baker for years and was excited to be able to see her in something. Jean Gabin is a major heart throb of mine and it was nice to see him in a different kind of role and singing a bit no less!
Jean Gabin sings “Viens Fifine”
Josephine Baker sings “Haiti”
Ooh ooh ooh, Jean Gabin is a major heartthrob of MINE! Squee!!! That man. That hair. That look. I might have to check this one out just to get more of Le Gabin.
He just can’t help being sexy no matter what he is in!
It appears that we all have a passion for Jean Gabin, the Gallic heart throb!!! I have seen Josephine Baker in Princess Tam Tam but have not seen this film so it is next. She was a fascinating and beautiful woman who made her fame in France where racial discrimination was not an issue. She worked for the French resistance during WWII and won the Croix de Guerre and the Legion d’Honneur for her work. An amazing woman who refused to bow to racial prejudice.
I’ve got Princess Tam Tam on tap for 1935 and I’m looking forward to it. I saw an exhibit on Baker at the National Portrait gallery in Washington a few years back that was really interesting. Artists loved to draw and paint her.