L'École des cocottes (1935)
Directed by Pierre Colombier

Film Review

Based on the popular stage play of the same title by Paul Armont and Marcel Gerbidon, L'École des cocottes is a moderately entertaining social satire that may well have passed into obscurity had it not been for the ebullient contributions from its leading performers.  André Lefaur steals the show from his illustrious co-stars, Raimu and Renée Saint-Cyr, with his wonderfully camp portrayal of a tutor in social etiquette and good manners.  Madeleine Suffel also deserves a mention for her likeable dumb blonde portrayal, looking and acting like a lobotomised Judy Holliday.  What the film lacks in sophistication it makes up for in charm and good humour.  It would be remade in 1958 by Jacqueline Audry, starring Dany Robin, Fernand Gravey and Bernard Blier.

Film Synopsis

Monsieur Labaume is a solitary middle-aged man who has developed an infatuation for the young woman who has taken up residence in the apartment opposite his own.  Unluckily for him, the beautiful Ginette already has a lover, a musician named Robert who is not yet ready to give her up to any man.  Ginette has other ideas, however, and she becomes easy prey for Stanislas de la Ferronnière, a man who teaches good manners to those who want to get on in life.  Convinced that Stanislas can make her the most talked about young woman in Paris, Ginette makes herself his willing pupil.  In no time at all, the social-climbing Ginette is transformed from a common street girl into a woman of class and refinement.  Now that she knows she is destined for higher things, Ginette turns her back on Robert and gladly makes herself the mistress of the ageing millionaire Racinet.  At last the young woman's ambitions are fulfilled, but it is only a matter of time before she comes to realise that wealth and status do not ensure happiness...