Trois de la Canebière (1956)
Directed by Maurice de Canonge

Film Review

Un de la Canebière, a popular operetta by René Sarvil, Henri Alibert and Vincent Scotto, had the makings of a splendid Hollywood musical, but, in the hands of journeyman director Maurice de Canonge, it only ended up as the most synthetic imitation of those great MGM classics of the 1950s.  So garish that wearing dark spectacles whilst watching the film is strongly recommended, Trois de la Canebière is certainly a lively and colourful beast which makes good use of its sunny Marseille setting, but the absence of anything vaguely resembling a plot and the plethora of bland characters, to say nothing of the feeble attempts at humour, makes it a pretty empty viewing experience.

The most familiar face in the mostly nondescript cast is a young Michel Galabru, who would go on to become one of France's best loved comic actors, now most famous for playing opposite Louis de Funès in the Gendarme series of films of the 60s and 70s.  The only thing the film has going for it are the musical numbers, and these at least are choreographed and performed with flair.  Canonge spent most of his career directing lowbrow comedies but occasionally he surprised the critics with more worthy fare, such as his poignant mine-based melodrama Grisou (1938).  Trois de la Canebière was such a success that Canonge went on to direct a sequel, Trois de la marine (1957), in the twilight of his career.

Film Synopsis

Toinet, Girelle and Pénible make a team of fishermen in Marseille.  One evening, Girelle and Toinet attempt to impress a pair of ravishing young women by passing themselves off as the owners of a sardine canning factory.  This is where their troubles really begin...