Le Cantinier de la coloniale (1938)
Directed by Henry Wulschleger

Film Review

Le Cantinier de la coloniale was the last in a series of army-themed comedies that director Henry Wulschleger made with the popular comedy performer Bach, the others being Le Champion du régiment (1932), Tire au flanc (1934) and Le Train de huit heures quarante-sept (1934).  Such comedies were immensely successful in France in the 1930s, but their popularity waned towards the end of the decade and the genre almost disappeared altogether, before making a surprising come-back in the 1970s in the guise of a series of bidasse (or sad sack) films poking funny at military service.  Although he is virtually (and inexplicably) forgotten today, Bach was one of France's most popular comic actors in the 1930s and he made no fewer than thirteen films with Wulschleger, including L'Affaire Blaireau (1931) and Bach en correctionnelle (1939).  A dated but amiable piece, Le Cantinier de la coloniale is not the most memorable or funniest of Bach's comedies, but its daft plot and dearth of gags are at least partly made up for by the good humoured contributions from Bach and his colourful entourage, which includes Saturnin Fabre and Rellys, the most familiar names in the cast.

Film Synopsis

After a long career in the French infantry, Piéchu ends up confined to barracks as a lowly canteen worker.  One day, he is surprised to learn that he has inherited a vast fortune, but the prospect of sudden wealth brings with it only a host of worries.  Not only does he have to deal with the jealousy of his superiors, he also has to take on board the demands of his fellow comrades in arms, not to mention the advances of a young marquis and a count, who intend to marry his daughter for financial gain.  The latter, however, has lost her heart to a lawyer who is presently doing his military service...