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Sous le ciel de Provence
1956 Comedy
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Credits
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Director: Mario Soldati
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Script: Aldo De Benedetti, Marc-Gilbert Sauvajon, Piero Tellini, Cesare Zavattini
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Photo: Nicolas Hayer
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Music: Paul Misraki
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Cast: Fernandel (Paul Verdier),
Giulia Rubini (Maria),
Fosco Giachetti (Antonio),
Leda Gloria (Lucia),
Andrex (Frederic),
Renato Salvatori (Gino),
Jean Brochard (Shopkeeper),
Tina Pica (Aunt Camilla),
Alberto Sordi (Mario,
bus driver),
Charles Dechamps (Retired man),
George Cusin (Inspector),
Suzet Maïs (Paolo's wife),
Henri Arius (Stationmaster),
Raymone (Teacher)
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Country: France
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Language: French
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Runtime: 97 min
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Aka: Under Skies of Provence; The Virtuous Bigamist
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Summary
Paul Verdier is a travelling salesman living in Marseilles. One of the virtues of
his job is that it gets him way from his bad-tempered wife and screaming children.
Whilst away on business, he meets a pregnant young woman, Marie, on a train. She
reveals that she is apprehensive about returning to her home village because she does
not know who the father of her child is. Paul agrees to pretend to be her child’s
father and goes with her to her home. For how long can he keep the truth from Marie’s
parents?
Review
This lesser-known Fernandel comedy is a respectable remake of the classic Italian 1943
film, Four Steps in the Clouds, set in the south of France. The rich colour
photography conveys the stereotypical view of Provence, reminding us (as does the plot)
of Marcel Pagnol’s rural dramas of the 1930s and 1940s. With a well-written script,
which includes some sparkling dialogue, and some great comedy from comic genius Fernandel,
this is an entertaining film.
© James Travers 2003
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