La belle de Paris

A career which began in 1937 and which is still buoyant today in 2010! Micheline Presles was one of the greatest French actresses of all time whose longevity is rivaled only but that of Danielle Darrieux.(both actresses were featured in the delightful comedy "Le Jour Des Rois" in the nineties).

Although she was fluent in English, she was not as lucky in her American movies : her work with Fritz Lang was downright disappointing and this one (ridiculous French title :" La Belle De Paris" !!!)is hardly better. However John Garfied is one of my favorite American actors (not a star,a true artist)and it's him and his co-star who give this parboiled melodrama substance ;the screenplay looks like a cross between "the champ " (thirties version ) and "the set up ", a jockey instead of a boxer.

The races take place in Chantilly and in Auteuil ,two racecourses (racetracks) famous here in France .Jean Negulesco shows respect for the audience :French people speak French between them and Presles begins to teach her first language to the jockey's son.She also sings songs in French and in English:I do not know if she was dubbed.

Considering the two leads' talent,"under my skin" is watchable but not particularly memorable.