Les Corsaires du Bois de Boulogne (1954)
Directed by Norbert Carbonnaux

Film Review

The eccentricity and manic enthusiasm for visual comedy that Norbert Carbonnaux would later bring to his best-known film, Candide ou l'Optimisme au XXe siècle (1960), are in no short supply in his first feature, Les Corsaires du bois de Boulogne.  It seems that even in the late 1950s talentless non-entities would do anything for their five minutes of fame, even going so far as to chop down half of the trees in Paris's most famous wood just to get their photo on the front cover of Cinémonde.  It's a ditzy satire with a very modern ring to it, and it makes you wonder why the film isn't better known.  Louis de Funès puts in an appearance, and even though he has nothing to say (his being a silent role) he is as side-splittingly funny as ever.  The stars of the piece are the lesser known Raymond Bussières and Christian Duvaleix, who make an effective, if not entirely memorable, double act.

Film Synopsis

Hector, Adèle and Cyprien are three struggling singers who are desperate to hit the big time, despite their obvious lack of ability.  To achieve this they agree that their only option is to undertake some outrageous publicity stunt, something that cannot fail to grab the public's attention.  Adèle's idea - to drown herself in the River Seine - has no success, no matter how many times she repeats the stunt.  Hector and Cyprien show slightly more imagination by cutting down trees in the Bois de Boulogne and converting them into a raft.  However, it is only by denouncing themselves to the police that Hector and his buddy manage to get themselves arrested.  In doing so, they also implicate Caroline Grossac, the troublesome daughter of a high-profile businessman.  The latter didn't get where he is today without spotting an advantageous publicity stunt when he sees one, so he comes to Hector and Cyprien's aid and makes them an offer they can't refuse.  Before they know it, the two wannabe celebrities are crossing the ocean on a raft, not knowing whether glory or disaster awaits them at the end of this mad escapade...