Mondschein über Maubeuge

Fairly amusing french film. The Swinging Sixties are being hard on Paul Prunier, a modest cab driver who writes classical symphonies in his spare time. Rejected by record companies everywhere (they'd rather sign the latest novelty acts), Paul will eventually become famous when an improvised song of his - Un Clair de Lune à Maubeuge - is accidentally broadcast on a national radio by the hilarious Michel Serrault. Mayhem ensues as the song becomes a national hit, and everyone tries to cash in on Paul's phenomenal success.

Pierre Perrin scored a big hit with his self-penned "Clair De Lune A Maubeuge in 1962.He died in 1985,completely forgotten, but his legendary song has lived on:in the famous blockbuster "Bienvenue Chez Les Ch'Tis " ,a fanfare performed it.

"Un Clair De Lune A Maubeuge" is a movie-of-the-song rather than the other way around for it was made to capitalize on the hit;reportedly based on the singer/songwriter 's true story ,it's a stodgy comedy in which the funny moments are as rare as rhodium.Intended as a spoof on showbiz as well as a vehicle for the new star, it is what you call a pleasant dud,but a dud anyway.Guest stars include Bourvil (who covered the song), an atrocious performance by Henri Salvador as a music teacher,and even yeah- yeah girl Sylvie Vartan whose name only appears in the final credits ,with that of her guitarist ,a Salvador's protégé Jacques /Jacky Moulière.Vartan performs live a silly ditty called "Le Dessert"(?).

The plot: inspired by Beethoven's moonlight sonata ,a cab driver writes a symphony but it's dismissed by "Superdisco Productions" .One night ,as he plays his oeuvre in a café for his friends ,it segues sharply into a tango, the title song,which ,recorded unbeknown to the singer ,turns him into an overnight sensation.