Sous le ciel de Provence / The Virtuous Bigamist

Sous le ciel de Provence (1956)

Comedy

Director: Mario Soldati
Script: Aldo De Benedetti, Marc-Gilbert Sauvajon, Piero Tellini, Cesare Zavattini
Photo: Nicolas Hayer
Music: Paul Misraki
Cast: Fernandel (Paul Verdier), Giulia Rubini (Maria), Fosco Giachetti (Antonio), Leda Gloria (Lucia), Andrex (Frederic), Renato Salvatori (Gino), Jean Brochard (Shopkeeper), Tina Pica (Aunt Camilla), Alberto Sordi (Mario, bus driver), Charles Dechamps (Retired man), George Cusin (Inspector), Suzet Maïs (Paolo’s wife), Henri Arius (Stationmaster), Raymone (Teacher)
Country: France
Language: French
Runtime: 97 min
Aka: Under Skies of Provence; The Virtuous Bigamist

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Synopsis

Paul Verdier is a travelling salesman living in Marseilles. One of the virtues of his job is that it gets him way from his bad-tempered wife and screaming children. Whilst away on business, he meets a pregnant young woman, Marie, on a train. She reveals that she is apprehensive about returning to her home village because she does not know who the father of her child is. Paul agrees to pretend to be her child’s father and goes with her to her home. For how long can he keep the truth from Marie’s parents?

Film Review

This lesser-known Fernandel comedy is a respectable remake of the classic Italian 1943 film, Four Steps in the Clouds, set in the south of France. The rich colour photography conveys the stereotypical view of Provence, reminding us (as does the plot) of Marcel Pagnol’s rural dramas of the 1930s and 1940s. With a well-written script, which includes some sparkling dialogue, and some great comedy from comic genius Fernandel, this is an entertaining film.

© James Travers 2003

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