Madame Sans-Gêne

The eminent French tragedienne Gabrielle Réjane created the role of Sardou's 'Madame Sans-Gene' in 1893 and later committed it to film and although extant I doubt if any of us has or will ever see it. The same would probably apply to the silent version with Gloria Swanson. Both Nini Marshall and Sophia Loren give spirited performances in films by Maurer and Christian-Jaque but by far the most satisfying is that of Arletty in this film of underrated director Roger Richebé.

This was a creatively rich period for Arletty culminating in 'Children of Paradise' whilst her subsequent fall from grace has been well documented. She is simply magnificent in this as a laundress who is married to a Marshall of France but whose lack of finesse is a constant embarassment and a source of ridicule. She very cleverly helps Napoleon Buonaparte avoid a scandal involving his wife Marie-Louise and prevents an unjust execution thereby being restored to favour. There is wonderful support from Aimé Clariond, Maurice Escande, Henri Nattier and not forgetting Albert Dieudonné in his second outing as Napoleon. A marvellous adaptation by Jean Aurenche directed and performed with customary Gallic style and panache. A real treat for devotees of Arletty and a great discovery for those coming to this incomparable artiste for the first time.

Adapted from a very famous play,"Madame Sans -Gêne" is Arletty's one woman show ;the part was tailor-made for her and I insist that this movie should be watched in French with subtitles ,because if dubbed in English or another language,it loses 90% of its appeal:such was Arletty's talent,one of the greatest actresses France had ever had.

The play deals with the ordeals of a crude washerwoman in the chic court of Napoleon the First;historical background is vague and thin but never mind.It's Arletty who matters.As for Roger Richebé ,he was not the mediocre director whom most of the critics despise.