I have always loved the acting skills of Humphrey Bogart. His face was the perfect instrument to play a tune of emotion for the camera. I am more likely to stare at a face of character than one of exquisite beauty. So, I have spent some goodly hours peering at Bogie’s visage and enjoying it like a view of a breath taking vista. On the other side of the ocean, there existed a face that gives me a similar response, Jean Gabin. He has the same sort of countenance as Humphrey. It can be awash in humor, set in a blinding rage or as sensitive as a moment of doubt. Gabin also had the same physical quality in his gestures and gait. His best work is in the films of Jean Renoir where he embodied the working class man with a brooding temperment and complex moral structure. His face could terrify you with an innate threat of violence or beguile you with a gentle hint of romance. If you wish to explore his work, let me suggest the following titles to fill an evening or two with cinematic pleasure: Grande Illusion, La Bete Humaine, French Can Can, Pepe Le Moko, Touchez Pas au Gribi and The Lower Depths. At all cost avoid his great American mistake, Moontide. Au revoir.
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Hi, Rob
Enjoyed roaming around your site, renewing acquaintance. Got pointed here by Billy Burger’s blurb about your upcoming concert.
Touchez Pas au Grisbi
Yes, Jean Gabin. I live in his land now. Have for almost 30 years. Which makes Henderson High, Stratton’s Farm, and all the rest 40 years ago now! Why did John Lilley knock ten years off in his peer review? I wonder!
Bon temps roulez, hello to Jimmy Littman too. I saw John a few months ago in Warst Chastely.
bises
Anita (known as Nita on that side of the Atlantic at that point in time)