La Rue sans loi (1950)
Directed by Marcel Gibaud

Film Review

La Rue sans loi is a boisterous farce inspired by the comic creations of Albert Dubout, a legendary cartoon artist of the 1940s.  Dubout's characters such as Sparadra, Anatole and Fifille are brought to life with great gusto by a cast of talented comic performers, including André Gabriello, Paul Demange and an outrageously dragged up Max Dalban.   Louis de Funès appears in a supporting role, more than a decade before he would become a household name in France.  Most of the jokes are well and truly past their sell-by date and the antics of Sparadra and his gang would be much funnier in a strip cartoon, but the film still has a certain charm, evoking the madcap comedy of the Keystone Kops.

Film Synopsis

'La Rue sans loi' is a fitting name for a thoroughfare in Paris where there appears to be a total absence of the rule of law.  Crime is so endemic in this benighted neighbourhood that no policeman would ever dare to set foot here - and setting a foot here is one of the most dangerous things you can do.  Motorists take lessons on how to knock down as many pedestrians as they can!   Presiding over this safe haven for criminals is Sparadra, a feared gang leader who owns a café which is the base of his nefarious operations.

Sparadra's next criminal exploit will be to rob the wealthy Countess de la Trille when she is hosting one of her famous evening parties.  The theft turns out to be doddle, but the jewels are fakes.  Even hardened criminals have a heart, and Sparadra has lost his to Fifille, a sensitive creature who has the physique of an elephant.  By seducing Fifille's husband Anatole, the gang leader's loyal accomplice Emma manages to obtain the combination to the countess's safe.  At last, Sparadra and his merry gang have struck lucky - or so they think.  Crime doesn't always pay, even in the road without law...