Les Petites Cardinal (1951)
Directed by Gilles Grangier

Film Review

Les Petites Cardinal is one of director Gilles Grangier's lesser known films, an engaging but hardly stunning period piece adapted from a novel by Ludovic Halévy.  Although better known for his contemporary comedies, Grangier did venture into other avenues, although seldom with the same élan and confidence.  Les Petites Cardinal falters slightly in the scriptwriting department but redeems itself admirably with the performances from a high calibre cast.  Too often relegated to supporting roles, Saturnin Fabre has a commanding presence in (unusually) the lead role, ably supported by Jean Tissier, Denise Grey and Véra Norman.  You cannot fault the quality of the acting and some impressive work on the design front (offering a convincing view of 1870s Paris) helps to hide the fact that Grangier's direction lacks the inspired touch.

Film Synopsis

It is May 1871 and the Second Empire has become history.  The Cardinals, a once wealthy family of French aristocrats, have fallen on hard times.  Horace, the head of the household, now has to work as a doorman to support himself, his wife and their two daughters, Virginie and Pauline.  The latter is promised to Gaspard, a cabinetmaker, but Horace opposes the marriage until his eldest daughter, Virginie, is safely wedded to the marquis Alberto de Cavalcanti...