Word: pagnol
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Fifteen years have passed; little Cesariot is now old enough to become a soldier, and Panisse is on his death-bed. That is the way things are as Marcel Pagnol begins "Cesar," the last part of his celebrated French trilogy of the Marsailles waterfront folks. "Marius" and "Fanny," the other two films dealing with the people, were perhaps funnier, for "Cesar" is more concerned with plot and its happy ending...
There is less of the late Raimu in "Cesar" than in the others. While this is regrettable (three will never be enough Raimu on film, anyhow), it at least shows how carefully M. Pagnol had planned his trilogy, and how little he cared for the "star system...
There is also less of Charpin, the great actor who plays Panisse. However, he figures prominently in the opening scenes of the movie which are concerned with his death. With Pagnol's perfect taste, understanding, and humor it is one of the most amusing scenes in the film...
...common in Europe to have one man both write the script and direct the film. (Rossellini and Pagnol are outstanding examples of the success of this method.) Well, somehow or other, a man named Joseph L. Mankiewiez convinced 20th Century Fox that he could do it too. "A Letter to Three Wives" is by no means a work of art; but it is very funny, and has some value as a critical commentary on the American Way of Life...
Charles Boyer, back in French country life, was passing his time playing petanque (bowling) and drinking pale pastis (an absinthe imitation). One day, weary-eyed Marcel Pagnol came over for cocktails and referred to Boyer as "I'Américain." Charles didn't like Marcel's tone of voice. He socked him and they had it out right there, with screams from the girls. But it all ended in a reconciliation scene: the rivals embraced and sat down together to a wonderful bouillabaisse...