A theatrical troupe is having problems trying to fill in the leading actor who has a problem tooth which will not let him perform on tonight's performance. In desperation, Cascaroni, the manager wants to take a gamble with Honorin, a stage helper with no previous acting experience. The rehearsals are a nightmare since Honorin does not seem to have what it takes to make a good actor. The manager feels he must help Honorin relax by hypnotizing him.
In his trance, Honorin suddenly finds himself in the late fifteenth century, right at the height of the renaissance. He is taken to be a foreigner who speaks an almost incomprehensible French. He is asked to come to the court of Francis I, king of France, where he is introduced as the brother of a noble lady, Madeleine Ferron, whose jealous husband does not believe for a moment the charade.
Honorin revolutionizes the way these renaissance people dance, showing the latest steps he knows from Paris. He becomes quite popular by using the Larousse dictionary where he has facts at his fingertip. He makes good friends with Francis and with his cousin, Henry VIII of England. But Ferron wants him out of the picture and accuses him of heresy, which is not a funny matter. One night, while sleeping he gets a visit from a friendly ghost, who turns out to become his best ally. As he is found guilty from the charge, he wakes up. Next thing we see is Honorin emerging from the Opera metro station with the Opera Garnier behind him.
This 1937 film was shown recently on a French cable channel. Our interest was to see the great Fernandel in action. He certainly does not disappoint. Directed by Christian-Jacque, and based on a story by Paul Feteke, it is an enjoyable time in front of the set with good company. The copy shown was in excellent condition, as well as the sound. Fernandel, its star, shows why he was one of the best comic talents in the French cinema. He is the best excuse to try to watch the film whenever it is repeated.
In his trance, Honorin suddenly finds himself in the late fifteenth century, right at the height of the renaissance. He is taken to be a foreigner who speaks an almost incomprehensible French. He is asked to come to the court of Francis I, king of France, where he is introduced as the brother of a noble lady, Madeleine Ferron, whose jealous husband does not believe for a moment the charade.
Honorin revolutionizes the way these renaissance people dance, showing the latest steps he knows from Paris. He becomes quite popular by using the Larousse dictionary where he has facts at his fingertip. He makes good friends with Francis and with his cousin, Henry VIII of England. But Ferron wants him out of the picture and accuses him of heresy, which is not a funny matter. One night, while sleeping he gets a visit from a friendly ghost, who turns out to become his best ally. As he is found guilty from the charge, he wakes up. Next thing we see is Honorin emerging from the Opera metro station with the Opera Garnier behind him.
This 1937 film was shown recently on a French cable channel. Our interest was to see the great Fernandel in action. He certainly does not disappoint. Directed by Christian-Jacque, and based on a story by Paul Feteke, it is an enjoyable time in front of the set with good company. The copy shown was in excellent condition, as well as the sound. Fernandel, its star, shows why he was one of the best comic talents in the French cinema. He is the best excuse to try to watch the film whenever it is repeated.
