Un soir de réveillon

The French are known for many things but with the exception of Jacques Demy, making memorable musical films is not one of them. This early 30s operetta is a rare example.It boasts eleven different tunes only three of which are repeated, unlike certain musicals which just have two or three melodies which are used over and over. Even though not actually directed by a Frenchman it benefits considerably from the amusing lyrics by the talented Jean Boyer Yes it has early Arletty but the leads Meg Lemmonier and Henri Garat are quite charming and the standout performance in my opinion is from Dranem as the philosophical chauffeur who lands up doing a kind of gay scene with Garat when the two share a meal that was meant by Garat for Lemmonier. The complications culminate in a Venetian style masked ball in a hotel where guests take off their masks to reveal their identities. So don't be put off by the sourpuss comments of the other reviewers, and try to find this one.