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Marquitta
1927 Comedy / Drama
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Credits
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Director: Jean Renoir
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Script: Jean Renoir, Pierre Lestringuez
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Photo: Jean Bachelet
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Cast: Marie-Louise Iribe (Marquitta),
Jean Angelo (Prince Vlasco,
“Coco”),
Henri Debain (Conte Dimitrieff),
Lucien Mancini (Le beau-père),
Pierre Philippe (directeur du casino),
Pierre Champagne (chauffeur de taxi)
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Country: France
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Language: French
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Runtime: 120 min; B&W; silent
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Summary
The wealthy Prince Vlasco leaves his mistress for Marquitta, a poor street singer whom
he tries to educate to his own level. Marquitta repays Vlasco’s kindness towards
her by stealing a jewel. Betrayed, Vlasco drives her away. When they meet
some time later, their situations are reversed. Marquitta has become a rich and
famous singer, Vlasco a performer in a modest troupe. When Marquitta humiliates
him, Vlasco decides to kill himself...
Review
Practically ruined after the commercial failure of his lavish period piece Nana
(1926), Jean Renoir willingly agreed to direct this conventional melodrama for
the production company La Société des Artistes Réunis.
Not only did it provide him with some financial security, it also allowed him to further
develop his directorial technique, bringing some discipline to temper his creative impulses.
Whilst not his most inspired work, the film shows characteristics that would become more
noticeable in his subsequent sound films - imaginative camera work, a love of character
and a strikingly humanist approach.
© James Travers 2002
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