La Chienne Movie Review 1931

Dark, troubling tale of a bedraggled husband whose only excitement is his painting hobby until he becomes consumed by the ever-tempting prostitute Lulu. Director Renoir broke ground with his use of direct sound and Paris shooting locations, and the experiment was a hit. Portrays marriage with acidity; Renoir's own marriage broke up as a result of this film's casting. Mareze died shortly after the filming was complete in a car crash. Based on the novel by Georges de la Fouchardiere. Produced in 1931, but didn't reach American theatres until 1975. In French with English subtitles. Remade in 1945 as "Scarlet Street."

Distribution

Tapeworm Video Distributors, 27833 Hopkins Ave., Unit 6, Valencia, CA 91355, Phone: (661)257-4904, Fax: (661)257-4820, Email: sales@tapeworm.com, URL: http://www.tapeworm.com

Available on VHS
Running time 93 minutes.
Originally from French.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Tearjerkers, Marriage, Oldest Profession, 4 Bones

Screenplay

Andre Girard, Jean Renoir

Cast

Michel Simon, Janie Mareze, Georges Flament, Madeleine Berubet

Director

Jean Renoir

Producer

Jean Renoir, Braunberger-Richebe, Ajay Films