Madame Sans Gêne

Those who wish to watch a good early 60s historical entertainment can look for ‘Madame Sans Gêne‘, the 1961 film by Christian-Jaque. The historical character of the laundress in revolutionary Paris who married one of Captain Bonaparte’s sergeants and became a duchess at the court of the Empire was popularized by a play that had already been brought to screen in two famous adaptations, one from the silent film era with Gloria Swanson in the title role, the other starring the sparkling and very popular French cabaret and screen star of the 30s and 40s, Arletty. Why another adaptaation? At least two reasons, I think: the advances in color film that made this version of ‘Madame Sans Gêne‘ visually look like a historical blockbuster, and the presence in the title role of the incomparable Sophia Loren.

Catherine Hubscher (real historical character) began by washing Captain Bonaparte’s underpants in the days when his regiment was making the final assault that would bring down royalty. She falls in love with Sergeant Lefebvre whom she follows, mostly out of jealousy, in the campaigns of Bonaparte, who had become a general. An incident that happens only in the movies (or, if you wish, in theatre plays) makes of the two a little imprudent and a little indifferent to the rules of military discipline lovers the heroes who decide a battle with the Austrians. In a decade we will meet them (raised to the ranks of duke and duchess in the new European order) at the imperial court. Napoleon, now emperor, decides to make Lefebvre king, but the duchess’s foul mouth and rough manners will jeopardize the emperor’s plans and the two’s careers.

Christian-Jaque already had the experience with successful historical cape and sword films, but also with romantic comedies. The two genres meet successfully, being grafted onto the text adapted from the French classic. The reconstruction of the period is done with cinematic tools from the arsenal of historical super-productions of the time, without any savings in period costumes (from uniforms to court ladies’ dresses) or in the number of extras. The dialogues are partly taken from the play and the characters and language humor works unexpectedly well on screen. Sophia Loren shines, with silhouette-flattering gowns and a comical temper that seems hard to contain. It is not easy to be Sophia Loren‘s partner, but Lefebvre is excellently played by Robert Hossein, who was otherwise a complex filmmaker, actor and director, today a little unfairly forgotten. I also liked Julien Bertheau who plays Napoleon, an actor I know less of, who shows real comedic qualities. ‘Madame Sans Gêne‘ is an entertainment of the 60s that after another 60 years still has the quality to captivate and entertain audiences.

As I understand it, Madame Sans-Gene (nee Catherine Hubscher) was a crude-mannered Parisian laundress around the time of the French Revolution. She hooked up with Sgt. Francois Joseph Lefebvre, whom Napoleon eventually appointed King of Westphalia. But it didn't end there.

Since I don't know anything specific about Madame Sans-Gene (except that her nickname means "Mrs. No Embarrassment", referring to her behavior), I have to take what this movie says. I don't know whether Christian-Jaque's "Madame Sans-Gene" is supposed to be a comedy, but it sure comes across as such. To be certain, the gunpowder trick during the sabotage scene reminded me of the Bugs Bunny cartoon "Bunker Hill Bunny".

Anyway, worth seeing, although the scenes early on where the guy fondles Sophia Loren make the movie hard to take seriously. I've never seen any of the other movie versions, so I can't compare it with those. Also starring Robert Hossein and Renaud Mary.

Sophia Loren is the sole star of this expensive-looking but empty costume picture, in which she plays a washer-woman with ready opinions who, after adventurous goings-on, gains status in the napoleonic times.

It is such a shame to see this film that came out in the same year that Loren won an Oscar for her great performance in Two Women. In Madame, she is only used to bring in the charm (which she does, as always) and to display her undeniably shapely bosom through a constantly wet dress, as in some cheap wet T-shirt competition.

Unfortunately, this seems to be the only thought that the producer or the director had in mind; the plot is very undramatically presented, the latter part of this relatively short film seems slow and the rest of the cast is wasted. The film is obviously expensive and good-looking, but the opulent sets and costumes only underline the unimaginativeness of the presentation.

For those only whose interest in Loren's breasts is enough to keep them satisfied. Others avoid.

This woman is not embarrassed about anything. ACADEMY AWARD winner Sophia LOREN (she won the award in 1962 for LA CIOCIARA) plays Catherine Hübscher, who was very popular in France and rose from Paris washerwoman to Duchess of Danzig during the Napoleonic years.

The man at LOREN's side is the French actor Robert HOSSEIN. Director Christian-Jaque probably had 6 million FRF at his disposal for his spectacle. There was an enormous film budget at the beginning of the 1960s, which you can see in the film.

And LOREN probably never looked better than in this film. The role of the stunner is practically tailored to the CINECITTA diva.

Fortunately, the television program makers seem to have rediscovered this entertaining historical ham. Good this way!

I haven't read the original play nor have I seen previous adaptations, so I can make no comparisons. But I can tell you, regardless of other versions, that this is a thoroughly enjoyable film with great acting, magnificent sets, witty dialogue and an unusual theme.

First let's talk about the unusual theme. This film is much like the celebrated stories of Guy de Maupassant, using an epic situation as a backdrop and instead telling a very common, human (and humorous) story. In this way, it reduces the epic backdrop to the absurd whilst focusing instead on the importance of individuals in their not-so-epic lives. In other words, this is anti-history. I know I didn't explain that very well, so I'll give you an example instead: Sergio Leone's "The Good, the Bad & the Ugly" is a perfect illustration, set against the American Civil War yet trivializing the war and instead focusing on 3 gunslingers fighting their own private war. Comedy, wit & irony are key in telling an ironic story like this, and "Madame Sans-Gêne" (as well as "The Good, the Bad & the Ugly") pulls it off brilliantly, largely due to the larger-than-life presence of Sophia Loren in the role of Catherine Sans-Gêne.

There's a line early in the film where the revolutionaries are storming the Tuileries Palace, and they pass by Catherine's laundry shop asking her if she'll come along. She laughs and replies, "No thanks, I already stormed the Bastille last week!" and continues with her laundry. This is the kind of Maupassantian humour I described above, and the film is full of it.

Robert Hossein delivers a marvelous performance as Catherine's husband, the handsome yet awkward provincial (a miller's son) who gets swept up in the epic and gets promoted to royalty. I've only seen Hossein in his heroic, swashbuckling roles, so it was a real treat to see him playing the role of a maladroit oaf for once. His goofy expressions, clumsy gait and general goofiness had me in stitches every time. If you're not familiar with Robert Hossein, try to imagine someone like maybe Christopher Walken playing the part of a nerd. That's the comedy I'm talking about.

I give another thumbs up to Julien Bertheau who plays the "little General" himself, Napoleon. His character is a real douchebag, but you love him for it, and you may even gain an appreciation for the infamous egomaniac who was thrust into one of the most absurd situations in history (leading a nation that had just overthrown its monarchy yet was all too eager to re-create the same monarchy, only with different faces).

I don't think you need to be a student of French history to appreciate this film. It tells a timeless story of the silliness of government, revolution, war, corruption & back to government ...and the loud-mouthed laundress who didn't seem to be affected by any of it. Watch it & enjoy!