Zouzou (1934)
Directed by Marc Allégret

Film Review

A shameless vehicle capitalising on the popularity of Josephine Baker during her phenomenally successful stay in France in the 1930s, Zouzou struggles to hold its ramshackle plot together but it is nonetheless compelling viewing, thanks to the presence of its charismatic star, here partnered with one of the great icons of French cinema, Jean Gabin.  Without the endlessly fascinating Baker, Zouzou would be just another run-of-the-mill musical melodrama struggling to imitate its American cousin.  Even with Baker giving it all she has, much of the film is a chore to sit through, and it only comes to life when its star begins doing what she does best, dancing and singing with the raw energy of a typhoon.

Director Marc Allégret makes a good stab at emulating the big budget song-and-dance musicals that were being churned out in Hollywood at the time, but lacking both experience and anything approximating to flair when it comes to staging musical numbers his efforts are seldom entirely successful.  Compared with the grand set-pieces choreographed by the great Busby Berkeley in such films as 42nd Street (1933), Allégret's efforts look pretty feeble, and most fail to take full advantage of Josephine Baker's breathtaking vitality.  Baker was a reasonably capable actress, but singing and dancing were her forte.  With Baker giving her all in a stand-out erotic dance sequence and some show-stopping songs, Zouzou is ultimately saved, but when you consider how few films this legendary performer appeared in you can't help thinking this was a missed opportunity.

Film Synopsis

Zouzou and Jean, two orphans, are raised as brother and sister by circus artiste Père Mélé.  Many years later, they live together in Paris, Zouzou working as a laundress, Jean as an electrician for a musical theatre, the Folies.  As Zouzou pines for Jean, he only has eyes for her fellow worker, Claire.  When Jean is mistakenly arrested for attacking a man in the street, Zouzou realises she needs money urgently to pay for a defence lawyer.  She gets herself employed as the star attraction at the Folies, replacing a famous dancer-singer who has just absconded to join her lover in Brazil.  Overnight, Zouzou becomes a sensation, but will she be in time to save her beloved Jean...?