Boniface somnambule

Fernandel was one of my favourite comedy French actor. I agree that he did not play only in masterpieces and this one is lousy, but it remains entertaining and that's the first thing that audiences expect from such material. Don't forget that GAROU GAROU LE PASSE MURAILLE, starring Bourvil, was relased the same year: 1951, with a similar kind of plot. It is purely French humor, not necessarily understable for foreign audiences; after all humor is rarely made for export. Because here dialogues are more important than gags or visual scenes, it is not Laurel and Hardy nor Buster Keaton or Charlie Chaplin, far from that. Fernandel justifies to spend time with this gentle junk. I can not imagine many Americans or many foreign viewers watching or even searching for it.

If you want to watch this movie,do not read Guy Bellinger's storyline on main page:it spoils the excellent ending ,the unexpected twist of a movie which is far from excellent;some scenes are funny but the screenplay is repetitive ,and in spite of the reliable principal ,too much sleepwalking becomes a bit irritating all in all.And ,as far as the viewer is concerned ,it stands in danger of contaminating him.

The best scenes are not in the main plot:Andrex and his gang of two-bit hoodlums do not really stand out.One can prefer:

-the beginning with the feeding bottle which,in a way,reveals Boniface's intimate longing;then the shoplifter and his three hands;the manager who wants to shake hands with his insightful private eye .

-Boniface ,sleepwalking,winds up in.....Louis De Funès's and wife's bed ,a scene fans of the two actors might not want to miss.

-And the final scene (see above):and they all lived happily ever after.Or should I say "almost happily"!