Le père Chopin

One of the first films produced in Québec ,directed by a Russian directors who worked in France in the thirties ,notably a delirious melodrama ("Amok") with a deadly romantic ending and "La Dame De Pique " from Pouchkine .Madeleine Ozeray was the star of the latter but her little voice was a bit irritating and she 's best remembered for her part of the pure Young girl in Duvivier's masterpiece "La Fin Du Jour".

So here they are again in Canada :the director and his star ;"Le Père Pochin" displays Frank Capra's strong influence ,particularly that of "you can't take it with you" ,a parable of money-can't-buy-happiness. Le Père Pochin lives happily with his children,and his music (shades of "the Trapp family " which became the "sound of music" blockbuster in the mid-sixties ).A millionaire is in search of his family and -you 'd never have guessed it- ,Pochin is none other than his brother.The singing family leaves their humble house for the desirable mansion of the rich uncle.But they soon realize that they are puppets in the hand of the businessman who wants his niece to marry his right-hand man,(whereas she is love with nice Roger)who manages his factories ,and the little brother and sister to go to a boarding-school .

Capraesque denouement ,with pomp and circumstance ,and proof positive (if we were not aware ) that tender hearts in a home sweet home are better than a cold one in a luxury dwelling.QED