The Duraton Family (French: La famille Duraton) is a 1939 French comedy film directed by Christian Stengel and starring Noël-Noël, Jules Berry and Blanchette Brunoy. It was shot at the Billancourt Studios in Paris. The film's sets were designed by the art director Pierre Linzbach. It is based on a popular radio show of the same name. The plot blears similarities to the 1943 American film True to Life. Another French film inspired by the show The Duratons was released in 1955.
Synopsis
The car of Sammy Walter, an unscrupulous producer for the Paris Radio-Seine, breaks down in the countryside. He manages to find accommodation with the Martin family. He is so amused by their eccentric ways and conversations that he decides to start secretly broadcasting on air every evening, believing listeners will be fascinated by a real portrait of a village in Deep France. Although the show goes out the name The Duration Family, their true identity becomes obvious when indiscreet gossip about local affairs is broadcast.
Cast
Noël-Noël as Adrien Martin
Jules Berry as Sammy Walter
Blanchette Brunoy as Lisette Martin
Julien Carette as Paradis
André Certes as Georges Massard
Marguerite Deval as La grand-mère
Annie France as Nina
Jean Granier as Le directeur de la radio
Marcelle Praince as Madame Martin
Jean Sinoël as Le grand-père
Jane Sourza as Jane Sourza
Marcel Vallée as Monsieur Massard
Jean-Jacques Vital as Jean-Jacques Vital
Alfred Adam as Le docteur
Pierrette Michel as Zizi Martin
Pierre Palau as Willy
Pierre Viala as Jean-Jacques Martin
References
Bibliography
Bessy, Maurice & Chirat, Raymond. Histoire du cinéma français: 1935-1939. Pygmalion, 1986. Crisp, Colin. Genre, Myth and Convention in the French Cinema, 1929-1939. Indiana University Press, 2002. Powrie, Phil & Cadalanu, Marie . The French Film Musical. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2020. Rège, Philippe. Encyclopedia of French Film Directors, Volume 1. Scarecrow Press, 2009.
External links
1939 films
French comedy films
1939 comedy films
1930s French-language films
Films directed by Christian Stengel
French black-and-white films
1930s French films
Films shot at Billancourt Studios
Films based on radio series
Films set in Paris
fr:La Famille Duraton (film)