Le Roi (1936)
Directed by Pierre Colombier

Film Review

Based on a play by Gaston Arman de Cavaillet, Emile Arène and Robert de Flers, Le Roi is a rambling, over-long social satire that is just about redeemed by its glittering cast, which includes new fewer than four major stars of 1930s French cinema.  Raimu is in his element as a self-righteous mayoral deputy who is more concerned with his own social advancement than his professional duties, but even he is outstaged by Victor Francen, hamming things up disgracefully as some kind of Ruritanian monarch with Don Juan tendencies.  In a departure from her melodramatic roles, Gaby Morlay shows a surprising flair for comedy as Raimu's suffering wife, only to be eclipsed by the stunning Elvire Popesco, who offers not only glamour by the cartload but a sparkling personality.  With four such charismatic performers vying for our attention, Le Roi can hardly be called dull, although had a little more effort gone into the script, and had Pierre Colombier been a little more inspired in his direction, it might have stood the test of time far better than it has done.  There are some amusing scenes - such as the one in which Raimu casually acquires a mistress, thereby fulfilling what he believes society expects of a man in his position - but not enough to make this a classic.

Film Synopsis

The long awaited visit by King Jean IV of Cerdagne to France becomes an occasion for wild revelry in the French capital.  The deputy mayor, Monsieur Boudier, hopes to receive the monarch at his magnificent private residence, but first he must convince the Marquis de Chamarande, whose son is courting Suzanne, Boudier's daughter.  To Boudier's consternation, the royal visit takes in the home of his mistress, Thérèse Marnix, a prominent actress who had an affair with the king eight years previously.  Thérèse redeems herself in the deputy mayor's eyes by suggesting that the king takes part in a hunting expedition on Bourdier's estate.  The reception that Bourdier manages to give in honour of the king at his château lives up to his expectations - at least it does before King Jean takes an amorous interest in his young wife, Marthe...