Fantasma de Improviso

I had the good fortune recently, to acquire an English language VHS copy of this rare 1951 movie; marketed then in the U.K. as; 'Mr. Peek-a-Boo'. My memory did not deceive me. It is still as entertaining today as it was when I first saw it in the cinema during the early 1950's. The originality of the movie holds well and seems to retain much of certain present day lost moralities. I give this very watchable film all the marks. The special effects are certainly not lost by todays cinematic standards. It's a great pity that movies like this seem to remain too long on the shelf. Actress Joan Greenwood and French comedy actor Bourvil, make you believe that a man can actually walk through walls. The superb supporting cast completes the illusion. Look out for it if you can.l

Jean Boyer was not an ambitious director,but he produced funny little comedies ;his best was certainly "Circonstances Atténuantes" starring Michel Simon and Arletty."Bolero" ,"Senechal le Magnifique " and "Le Rosier de Madame Husson" are certainly pleasant enough.

"Garou Garou Le Passe Muraille" based on a novel by Marcel Aymé ,with fine lines written by Audiard ,can be considered a successful movie too.Things begin to become a bit repetitive in the last third though,which was already the problem with "Bolero" in 1942 and even with "Circonstances Atténuantes" (1939).Reviewers often write that Boyer botched the job too frequently whereas he could have been a past master in the art of comedy.

Sound effects may seem rudimentary compared to today's standards but Bourvil really walks through walls!The best scenes,in my opinion,are to be found in the first half: the apartment the hero shares with an athletic grumpy brother-in-law and a sister who's got not his supernatural gift though she tries her best to..;the office where the hero works with his section head ;the meeting with the sneak thief (Joan Greenwood) who operates in hotels;the hilarious moment when Bourvil reads the lines of her hands .

It's impossible not to like Bourvil.I had the opportunity to see him on stage in an operetta in Paris and I have never forgotten this show.

This is one of the most delightful comedies I've ever seen. Originally viewed on WOR-TV's "Million Dollar Movie" in the 1950's, I've never forgotten it's fabulous plot and characters. Imagine, one day, finding that you can walk through walls! Our hero is fabulously portrayed by Bourvil -- and Joan Greenwood is perfect as a cat burglar. My only regret is that I've not seen this film since the 1950s and wish it were available on video tape!

I saw the Bourvil version in English someplace when I was young & have never seen it since. I wonder if its available anywhere on Earth. It was funny and something about it made me remember it to this day. It was not subtitled, because I doubt as a kid I would have bothered watching it. The star "Bourvil" a French guy I have never seen since was a blundering goof-ball, who just stumbled into falling thru walls, into peoples lives & at the end I believe he lost his power. I think there was some kind of romantic involvement as well in the story, but I cant remember any details.I also think it was in the 1950s, as I had to be preteen.If anyone knows where that can be acquired, I'd love to know.

I will echo the comments from Barslater. This is politically complex for all of being a romantic fantasy, more mature in its attitudes than the French have been since they produced it. Back in the days when I put together film programs for science fiction conventions, I tried very hard to find a rental copy to show and never could.

The film is rather more elaborate than its source material, a short story by Marcel Ayme, "The Walker Through Walls," which is ironically more easily available than the film. The film was shown on channel 13 in Baltimore, and since their massive catalog of prints (they were a DuMont station originally with a lot of time to fill) was sold the the Merican Film Instutute, it should really be available somehow.