Étoile sans lumière

I have watched in the past few years several documentaries or docu-dramas dedicated to the life and career of Édith Piaf. The moment came to see one of the films in which she acted and sang. My curiosity was satisfied by the opportunity to watch 'Étoile sans lumière' - the 1946 film by director Marcel Blistène, who was at his first feature film. Time has left its mark on this film, but there are many good reasons to see it even today. Édith Piaf is of course the main attraction, but this film also features Yves Montand at his screen debut. Piaf and Montand were living a passionate love story at that time. Their love crosses the screen.

The subject of the film is also very interesting, capturing the transitional moment of cinema from the period of silent films to that of talking and singing films. It is therefore about the years 1928 - 1930, although the scenography and costumes are not very rigorous in recreating the period. The theme would later be covered in numerous other memorable films from 'Singin' in the Rain' to 'The Artist'. Silent film star Stella Dora sees her career threatened by the advent of sound cinema. She makes a musical movie about pirates, but she can't sing. Her impresario and lover has the idea of using the voice of Madeleine, a maid in a provincial hotel. In order not to jeopardize the star's career, the conspirators, who include the sound engineer Gaston, use the playback technique and keep secret the fact that Stella is not the one singing. The plan succeeds better than they expected, the film is a great success, but Madeleine, ignored by the applauses and not even invited to the banquet after the premiere, begins to dream of getting out of anonymity. There is no lack of men who are ready to help her, more or less interested.

Édith Piaf was not a great actress, but the role suits her, the character actually having a lot in common with her own biography. When Piaf sings, the screen radiates magnetism. The song list does not include any of her famous hits, but still includes some beautiful songs composed by Marguerite Monnot. Yves Montand, young and nonchalant, does not yet sing in this film, but his presence justifies the heroine's love. Serge Reggiani doesn't sing here either, as he would in his later career. His Gaston has a naturalness to it, as opposed to the somewhat rigid style of the more seasoned actors in the cast. The melodramatic story has a modern ending and ends with a beautifully shot scene. 'Étoile sans lumière', one of the first French films made after the war, at a time when the world of French cinema was trying to find its balance after years of occupation and collaboration, offers today's viewer many moments of satisfaction, beyond the documentary interest and the opportunity to to listen once again to the voice of Édith Piaf.

Could Hollywood's famous movie musical "Singin' in the Rain" be imitating this French film -only 6 years later? I think so! Watching "Étoile Sans Lumière" was delightful and here we get to experience, not only Édith Piaf's image, but her magical singing, as well. She was barely 30, while making this movie. One hour into this film, Yves Montand shows up, making his movie debut... and this viewer had the privilege of seeing him shirtless. Here we have 2 pop legends that transcended time, cultures and languages. I was in Paris earlier this month, having coffee at an outdoor café, when a lady came to our table and sang "La Vie En Rose" with such soul, and in the style of Piaf. People are still imitating & honoring this magnificent talent -a half century after her passing. Few entertainers endure this long. I'm grateful that we have the opportunity to see such an incredible vocal talent, from years gone by, still performing in the moving image today. Piaf was in only 8 movies. So, this one is a rare treasure indeed! There are, however, countless films where Piaf's vocals continue to be featured to this day. Merci, Mademoiselle Piaf (RIP).

In this movie, the great French chanteuse Edith Piaf portrays a maid who's only happy when she sings sad songs,songs about pain..

It 's the end of the silent era .A star on the decline,Stella Dora,desperately tries to make her way in the talkies.Her manager and lover discovers Madeleine the maid and decides to use her voice.She will be Stella Dora's voice on the screen.Well you get the picture,it predates "singing in the rain " .

However,Marcel Blistène's movie is eminently worthy of investigation because:

-We can hear Piaf sing several songs written by her best songwriter Marguerite Monnot ."La chanson des pirates" is particularly exciting,and the final cut,sung on the stage of the music hall,which ends with haunting bells is thoroughly enthralling

-It's a cruel depiction of the showbiz without any indulgence:relatively speaking,outside Gene Kelly's musical,it predates some aspects of "all about Eve" (1950)

-The cast gathers some of the best actors of that era:Serge Reggiani,Jules Berry,Marcel Herrand,Yves Montand (debut):at the time ,the latter was Piaf's great love.

-And "étoile sans lumière" (star without light) ,what a well-chosen title!