Alchimie der Liebe

One of my sci-fi/horror/fantasy reviews written 50 years ago: Directed by Pierre Kast; Produced by Gilbert de Goldschmidt, Alain Poire and Rene Thevenet, released in America as "Girl in His Pocket" by Cosmic Films. Screenplay by France Roche, from Waldemar Kamempfert's novel; Photography by Ghislain Cloquet; Edited by Monique and Robert Isnardon; Music by Marc Lanjean. Starring: Jean Marais, Genevieve Page, Agnes Laurent, Jean-Claude Brialy, Amedee and Regine Lovi.

Extremely light-hearted science fiction story told in the Gallic manner. A scientist shrinks his beautiful girlfriend to a mere handful of a lady. When he takes her to the seashore the water returns her to her normal size, and (in the original version of the film) we get to see some mouthwatering vintage nude shots. Director Kast also cast several great French directors in cameo roles.

First feature film by Pierre Kast ,one of the critics of the much debated cahiers du cinema ;when you know the rest of his career ,stuff some call heady ,the others a headache ("la morte-saison des amours" " vacances portugaises" "drôle de jeu" "les soleils de l'ile de Pâques",strictly made for highbrows ), this one is the exception which proves the rule : it's a farce ,an accessible movie,with the most popular actor of the time,Jean Marais,who seems ill -at- ease in this context.

Beginning with the most misogynous prologue you can think of , this is a blend of comedy and sci-fi ; the outline is funny enough,but the movie doesn't keep its promise : light love affairs , womanizer students (Brialy hams it up in all his scenes,but what can a talented actor do with so poor lines?), a professor who resembles Hergé 's Tournesol (Calculus), and a wasted Genevieve Page ("Belle de jour" " the private life of Sherlock Holmes " ) One can save the scene in the zoo where all the animals are petrified ; and all the directors playing supporting parts:Christian -Jaque and Jean Paul Le Chanois as lost and found employees,Jean-Pierre Melville as the superintendent .