Main Cast: Claude Dauphin, Jean Galland, Gaby Morlay, Madeleine Renaud, Daniel Gélin, Danielle Darrieux, Simone Simon, Jean Gabin
Release Year: 1952
Country: FR
Run Time: 97 minutes
Plot
The works of Guy de Maupassant have likely been adapted by more French filmmakers than those of any other author (with the possible exception of Georges Simenon). Max Ophuls harnesses three Maupassant short stories to suit his artistic purposes in Le Plaisir (House of Pleasure). In "The Mask," an aging lothario (Jean Galland) learns more about himself than he cares to when he dons a mask to cover his wrinkles. In "The House of Madame Tellier," the proprietress of a brothel (Madeline Renaud) closes up shop one day for an unusual (for her) personal mission. And in "The Model," both the title character (Simone Simon) and her artist-lover (Daniel Gelin) pay the price for her romantic impulsiveness. Each of the playlets in Le Plaisir explore conflicting sides of human nature -- a theme common to both the works of Maupassant and the films of Ophuls. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Jean Gabin - Joseph Rivet [The House Of Madame Tellier]
Ginette Leclerc - Flora [The House Of Madame Tellier]; Jean Servais - The Friend/Narrator, French Version; Amedee - Frédéric; Paul Azäis - Owner, Palais de Danse; Antoine Balpêtré - Monsieru Poulain; Pierre Brasseur - Julien Ledentu, the Salesman; Gaby Bruyère - Frimousse, The Mask's Partner [The Mask]; Mathilde Casadesus - Louise [The House Of Madame Tellier]; Henri Cremieux - [The House Of Madame Tellier]; Jo Dest - The German [The House Of Madame Tellier]; Arthur Devére - Employee [The House Of Madame Tellier]; Paulette Dubost - Fernande [The House Of Madame Tellier]; Emile Genevois - The Groom; Helena Manson - Marie [The House Of Madame Tellier]; Jean Mayer - [The House Of Madame Tellier]; Mila Parély - Raphaele [The House Of Madame Tellier]; Marcel Pérès - [The House Of Madame Tellier]; Louis Seigner - Mr. Tourneveau [The House Of Madame Tellier]; Michel Vadet - Journalist [The Model]; Charles Vissieres - Old Man from Normandy [The House Of Madame Tellier]; Georges Vitray - The Captain [The House Of Madame Tellier]; Janine Vienot - His Friend; Anton Walbrook - Narrator, German Version [The House Of Madame Tellier; Peter Ustinov - Narrator, English Version [The House Of Madame Tellie; Robert Lombard - [The House Of Madame Tellier]; René Blanchard - Mayor [The House Of Madame Tellier]
Credit
Georges Annenkov - Costume Designer, Max Ophüls - Director, Leonide Azar - Editor, Joe Hajos - Composer (Music Score), Maurice Yvain - Composer (Music Score), Jean D'Eaubonne - Production Designer, Max Ophüls - Production Designer, Philippe Agostini - Cinematographer, Christian Matras - Cinematographer, F. Harispuru - Production Manager, Ben Barkay - Production Manager, Max Ophüls - Producer, Jean D'Eaubonne - Set Designer, Jacques Natanson - Dialogue Writer, Max Ophüls - Screenwriter, Jacques Natanson - Screenwriter, Jean Valere - Assistant Director, Tony Aboyantz - Assistant Director, Guy de Maupassant - Short Story Author
