Main Cast: Leslie Caron, Maurice Chevalier, Charles Boyer, Horst Buchholz, Salvatore Baccaloni
Release Year: 1961
Country: US/FR
Run Time: 135 minutes
Plot
Fanny was adapted from the Broadway musical of the same name, which in turn was based on the final chapter of Marcel Pagnol's "Marseilles Trilogy". Pagnol's original, titled Cesar, ends with protagonist Marius returning to the sea, leaving behind his lover Fanny and their son. Expanding upon the original, Fanny picks up the narrative nine years later. Marius (Horst Buchholtz) finally meets his son and is reunited with Fanny (Leslie Caron). She tells him that Panisse (Maurice Chevalier), the elderly suitor who married Fanny to save her from disgrace, is dying. On the verge of shuffling off his mortal coil, Panisse gives Fanny and Marius his blessings, hoping that they'll marry at long last. Charles Boyer co-stars as Cesar, the philosophical gent portrayed in the 1930s film versions of the Pagnol trilogy by the great Raimu. Fanny goes its merry way without any of the songs in the original Broadway score, despite the proven musical talents of Caron and Chevalier. Producer/director Joshua Logan saved himself plenty of embarrassment when he agreed not to release this film as Joshua Logan's Fanny. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
While the 1961 film version of Fanny lacks the subtlety and delicacy that mark the original Marcel Pagnol trilogy (and the Harold Rome songs that adorned the stage play that is this version's direct source), it is still a charming and affecting motion picture. Considering that it has a cast that is largely Continental, it's a bit of a surprise that the film has such a marked "Hollywood" feel to it. This is presumably due to director Joshua Logan, who at times overemphasizes the plot points and simplifies the emotional underpinnings of the tale. This may rob the film of a degree of nuance, but the directness also has its benefits, creating several powerful scenes and moving sequences. Charles Boyer received an Academy Award nomination for his carefully calibrated performance as Cesar, and the combination of strength and gentleness he brings to the role is quite effective. Maurice Chevalier, while overplaying slightly in some instances, is also quite good, and the tenderness he conveys in his scenes with Fanny is quite lovely. Leslie Caron is a compelling Fanny, full of sadness and resigned melancholy. If Horst Buchholz is a bit wan as Marius and Lionel Jeffries is annoyingly mannered, but neither performance damages the film. Jack Cardiff's camera captures the beauty of Marseilles, and makes good use of a slightly unreal palette of colors. Sweet and engaging, Fanny is a very pleasant bauble. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Rino Mondellini - Art Director, Anne-Marie Marchand - Costume Designer, Joshua Logan - Director, William H. Reynolds - Editor, Harold J. Rome - Composer (Music Score), Morris W. Stoloff - Composer (Music Score), Harry Sukman - Composer (Music Score), Morris W. Stoloff - Musical Direction/Supervision, Jack Cardiff - Cinematographer, Joshua Logan - Producer, Robert Turlure - Set Designer, Julius J. Epstein - Screenwriter, Joshua Logan - Screenwriter, Marcel Pagnol - Book Author, Joshua Logan - Play Author, Harold J. Rome - Play Author, S.N. Behrman - Play Author, Harold J. Rome - Lyricist
