A huge popular success in 1924,"Pierrot Pierrette" was mysteriously lost,then found again ,to be shown to a critically-acclaimed reception ;so Gaumont productions decided to restore this forgotten movie by Louis Feuillade ("les vampires " " Judex" "Fantomas") .
Was it worthwhile to restore this silent movie? Definitely yes! It's a wonderful melodrama ,in the grand tradition of Hector Malot 's "sans famille"; both brats are extremely endearing,they have spontanity,charm and humor going for them ,it's sure easy why they won over their 1924 audience .René Poyen played a recurrent character in the Judex serials.
The film begins with scenes of the Carnival of Nice ,where the chidren sell peanuts in a confetti-shower ;but these festivities do not set the tone of the events to come : the children's joy won't outlast the carnival for they are orphans ,living with their grandpa ,in an old trail ,which was once part of a glorious circus .
As the establishment wants to separate them ,the grandpa urge his grandsons to take to the road : thus it's essentially a road movie with memorable scenes :
-the lady from the charity organization visiting the trail,clutching her handkerchief she puts over her nose ,because of that obnoxious smell;the boy putting his monocle, aping the posh people who want to apprentice him to a craftsman and to put his kid sister in an orphanage ,for their own good.
-The girlie, making the dog running around the tree so that it shortens its leash and she can get to the basket of food.
-The same, selling the brutal pedlar's hardware for a song ;the housewives' rush. The sold-out.
-The wrath of the local hardware dealer, angry with this unfair competition. His fight with his rival; the girl ,trying to separate them and becoming herself a weapon , an incredibly violent detail .
-The awakening in the luxury house ,and the children's astonishment when they're served a breakfast .
Very few insert titles and subtitles,which speaks volumes about Feuillade 's expert directing ; some scenes filmed on location .
