Definition
The Girl from Maxim's (French: La dame de chez Maxim's) is a 1950 French comedy film directed by Marcel Aboulker. It is a cinematic adaptation of Georges Feydeau’s 1899 farce La Dame de chez Maxim.
Overview
The film was released in France on 15 September 1950 and was distributed by Gaumont Distribution. With a running time of 92 minutes, it was produced in black‑and‑white and presented in the French language. The production company listed is Maïtrise Artisanale de l'Industrie Cinématographique, and the film’s music was composed by Paul Durand. Cinematography was handled by Pierre Levent, and editing by Jacques Grassi.
The principal cast includes Arlette Poirier as La môme Crevette, Saturnin Fabre as Le général Petypon du Grêlé, and Marcelle Monthil as Mme Petypon. Supporting roles feature Jacques Morel, Marcelle Praince, Robert Vattier, Jean Marsan, Luc Andrieux, Colette Ripert, Jacques Fabbri, Jacques Beauvais, Philippe de Chérisey, and Albert Rieux.
Etymology / Origin
The title derives directly from the original French play by Feydeau, La Dame de chez Maxim (“The Lady from Maxim’s”), which takes its name from the famous Parisian restaurant Maxim’s. The 1950 film retains the play’s setting and comedic premise, translating the farcical narrative to a post‑World‑War II French cinematic context.
Characteristics
- Genre: Historical comedy, farce.
- Setting: Late‑19th‑century Paris, reflecting the original play’s period.
- Narrative Basis: Adaptation of Feydeau’s well‑known farce, which centers on mistaken identities, romantic entanglements, and the social mores of the Belle Époque.
- Production Details: Directed by Marcel Aboulker, a filmmaker noted for light‑hearted comedies. The screenplay adapts Feydeau’s dialogue and stage directions for screen.
- Cinematic Style: Black‑and‑white cinematography typical of French productions of the early 1950s; comedic timing relies on ensemble performance and physical humor.
- Reception: While specific box‑office figures and critical reviews are not extensively documented in readily available sources, the film is listed among French cinema of the 1950s and is referenced in works such as The A to Z of French Cinema (Oscherwitz & Higgins, 2009).
Related Topics
- Original Play: La Dame de chez Maxim (1899) by Georges Feydeau.
- Other Film Adaptations:
- The Girl from Maxim's (1933), a British musical comedy directed by Alexander Korda.
- Earlier French silent adaptations (e.g., La dame de chez Maxim’s (1923)).
- Director: Marcel Aboulker, notable for French comedic films of the mid‑20th century.
- Producer: Alain Poiré, associated with Gaumont productions.
- Cast Members: Arlette Poirier, Saturnin Fabre, Marcelle Monthil, among others, who were active in French theatre and cinema during the era.
- Cultural Context: The film is part of a broader tradition of adapting popular stage farces for the screen, reflecting post‑war French audiences’ appetite for light entertainment.
References
- Wikipedia entry for The Girl from Maxim's (1950 film).
- Oscherwitz, Dayna & Higgins, MaryEllen. The A to Z of French Cinema. Scarecrow Press, 2009.