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Jean Renoir's first sound film was a bitter and highly controversial psychological drama, so controversial that it was never shown in the United States until 1975, 44 years after its original French release. Maurice (Michel Simon) is a meek bank clerk trapped in a marriage with a harridan named Adele (Magdelaine Berubet). Maurice's sole pleasure in life is painting, a hobby he avidly pursues on weekends. One day, Maurice sees a woman on the street being beaten by a man; he steps in to rescue her, and strikes up a friendship with her. Maurice soon falls in love with Lulu (Janie Pelletier), unaware that she's a prostitute and that the man who was beating her is her pimp, Dede (Georges Flamant). Lulu admires Maurice's paintings, and he gives her several canvases; Lulu and Dede then invent an American artist named Clara Wood and place Clara's signature on Maurice's works before selling them to an art dealer, who is quite impressed. Maurice keeps giving money and artwork to Lulu, forgiving her even after he finds out that she's been selling paintings by "Clara Wood" that are earning high prices and enthusiastic reviews. However, Maurice is unaware that Lulu's a streetwalker or that she truly loves Dede until he catches the two in bed together; eventually, love leads to jealous violence and a tragic conclusion. While Pelletier gave a remarkable performance in La Chienne, she was unable to enjoy the film's wide acclaim; she died in an auto accident only a few weeks after shooting was completed.
Condition: New
Actors: Michel Simon, Georges Flamant, Janie Marèse
Directors: Jean Renoir
Format: Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen
Language: French
Subtitles: English
Region: Region A/1
Number of discs: 1
Rated:
NR
Not Rated
Studio: Criterion Collection
DVD Release Date: June 14, 2016
Run Time: 96 minutes
Cast & Crew
Michel Simon Maurice Legrand
Janie Mareze Lulu Pelletier
Georges Flamant Dede
Magdelaine Berubet Mme. Adele Legrand
Roger Gaillard Actor
Jean Gehret Mons. Dagodet
Alexandre Rignault Langelard, the Art Critic
Sylvain Itkine DeDe's Lawyer
Courme The Colonel
Henri Guisol Amedee, the Waiter at the Cafe
Lucien Mancini Walstein, the Art Dealer
Peirre Destys Gustave, a Pal of DeDe
Romain Bouquet M. Henriot, Legrand's Boss
Jane Pierson The Concierge
Max Dalban Bernard
Technical Credits
Jean Renoir Director,Editor,Screenwriter
Charles David Producer
André Girard Screenwriter
Pierre Prevert Asst. Director
Marguerite Renoir Editor
Roger Richebe Producer
Gabriel Scognamillo Production Designer
Theodor Sparkuhl Cinematographer
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