Don Juan's reckless servant .
A French-Spanish co-production,in color ,luxury for the time ;directed by an American ,John Berry ,who was driven away from his land by McCarthyism and continued his career in France ,with little fanfare .
Anyway this "Don Juan 1956" is a Fernandel vehicle;he does not play the title role,mind you,but the womanizer's servant Sganarelle.In the Wake of eventful events ,Sganarelle is mistaken for his master and becomes the toast of Toledo town -at least as far as women are concerned,the men are not really overjoyed-;A succession of duels,mistaken identities,and a nasty governor lead the new seducer to the stake .But women's lib before its time,all the ladies rebel against the cruel governor ("in love ,we were all created equal ,there are neither nobles nor commoners") The screenplay is confused,sometimes repetitive (Don Juan's wife,Dona Elvira ,is near-sighted and needs glasses to recognize her hubby,which is a blessing),but Fernandel's presence saves the movie:his funny faces ,when he tries to ape his master's look ,are priceless.
His co-star is Carmen Sevilla who would often play in filmed operetta opposite Luis Mariano.
Anyway this "Don Juan 1956" is a Fernandel vehicle;he does not play the title role,mind you,but the womanizer's servant Sganarelle.In the Wake of eventful events ,Sganarelle is mistaken for his master and becomes the toast of Toledo town -at least as far as women are concerned,the men are not really overjoyed-;A succession of duels,mistaken identities,and a nasty governor lead the new seducer to the stake .But women's lib before its time,all the ladies rebel against the cruel governor ("in love ,we were all created equal ,there are neither nobles nor commoners") The screenplay is confused,sometimes repetitive (Don Juan's wife,Dona Elvira ,is near-sighted and needs glasses to recognize her hubby,which is a blessing),but Fernandel's presence saves the movie:his funny faces ,when he tries to ape his master's look ,are priceless.
His co-star is Carmen Sevilla who would often play in filmed operetta opposite Luis Mariano.
- dbdumonteil
- Jul 7, 2015