Taxi, roulotte et corrida

Before 1958 Louis de Funès has participated in many fils like "La traversée de Paris", "Poisson d'avril", "Ma femme est formidable" or "Mission à Tanger" : there were all short moments of these films. And now André Hunebelle gives him the main character of the story : a taxi driver of Paris who goes on vacation with ahis family and the family of Léon ,his friend. Then we follow the tribulations of these both families and the their encounter with diamond thieves.

Louis de Funès managed to play very well this main role for 86 minutes. And he was accompanied by good actors and actresses: Annette Poivre, Raymond Bussières, Vera Valmont et Paulette Dubost.

A young Louis de Funes . Familiar gags, as roots for later films. Good performances and a predictable , lovely story. Adventure, humor, Spain and diamonds. And, sure, nostalgia . A film who has as source of seduction the old air , more simple and honest. And, sure , a charming perspective about life. So, sketches and travel. More naive. But pieces of a perfect nice comedy.

This was not the greatest of films, but it's a good period piece, showing what it was like to be a tourist in late 50's Spain. It's a showcase for some great secondary actors, especially the Keatonesque Raymond Bussieres, and the ever present comediennes Paulette Dubost and Annette Poivre.

What I liked best about the film was seeing Louis de Funes in an early starring role. Many of the sketches are glimpses of things to come. The great mechanic, the smuggled diamond in a Cadillac convertable with a sticking horn, the comic stutterer - all these skits reprise in the Corniaud. And, shades of Rabbi Jacob, the man can dance. It's not pretty, but he sure can dance a mean flamenco.