Pierre Perrin scored a big hit with his self-penned "Clair De Lune A Maubeuge in 1962.He died in 1985,completely forgotten, but his legendary song has lived on:in the famous blockbuster "Bienvenue Chez Les Ch'Tis " ,a fanfare performed it.
"Un Clair De Lune A Maubeuge" is a movie-of-the-song rather than the other way around for it was made to capitalize on the hit;reportedly based on the singer/songwriter 's true story ,it's a stodgy comedy in which the funny moments are as rare as rhodium.Intended as a spoof on showbiz as well as a vehicle for the new star, it is what you call a pleasant dud,but a dud anyway.Guest stars include Bourvil (who covered the song), an atrocious performance by Henri Salvador as a music teacher,and even yeah- yeah girl Sylvie Vartan whose name only appears in the final credits ,with that of her guitarist ,a Salvador's protégé Jacques /Jacky Moulière.Vartan performs live a silly ditty called "Le Dessert"(?).
The plot: inspired by Beethoven's moonlight sonata ,a cab driver writes a symphony but it's dismissed by "Superdisco Productions" .One night ,as he plays his oeuvre in a café for his friends ,it segues sharply into a tango, the title song,which ,recorded unbeknown to the singer ,turns him into an overnight sensation.
