Le Crime de Monsieur Lange (The Crime of Monsieur Lange) (1936)
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100% of critics liked it
(13 reviews) -
80% of users liked it
(608 ratings)
Jean Renoir was the director of The Crime of Monsieur Lange, but this French film might just as well have been made in Hollywood by Frank Capra. The titular Lange (Rene Lefevre) is an author of wild west novels. When the owner of the company that publishes Lange's works absconds with the company… More Jean Renoir was the director of The Crime of Monsieur Lange, but this French film might just as well have been made in Hollywood by Frank Capra. The titular Lange (Rene Lefevre) is an author of wild west novels. When the owner of the company that publishes Lange's works absconds with the company funds, Lange rallies the employees together to create their own publishing house. The publisher returns, disguised as a priest, and demands a share of the profits. Lange responds by killing the bounder. The grateful employees help Lange to escape prosecution, allowing him to leave the country with his lovely fiancee (Florelle). Jacques Prevert adapted the screenplay of The Crime of Monsieur Lange from a story by Renoir and Jean Castanier. Stage actor Jules Berry makes his film debut in the role of the shady publisher. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Jean Renoir
- Genres
- Drama, Art House & International, Comedy
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Jan 24, 1936 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Geoff Andrew, Time Out
One of Renoir's most completely delightful movies.
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Bosley Crowther, New York Times
It spins a loose and nondescript story, which ranges uncertainly between romantic comedy and solemn melodrama, about a publishing enterprise in which an author of cheap French Western fiction is the pivotal element.
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Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Jacques Prevert's screenplay has wit and economy, but it is the multiplicity of points of view implied in Renoir's fluid direction that lifts the film from propaganda to art.
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Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
One of director Jean Renoir's most delightful comedies.
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Douglas Pratt, DVDLaser
The film has some memorable characterizations and depicts adult situations with a much greater frankness than Hollywood was allowed at the time. Despite its clear moral exploration, however, the 78-minute running time is too brief for the film to become m
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Cast
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Jules Berry
as Batala
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René Lefèvre
as Mons. Amedee Lange
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Sylvia Bataille
as Edith
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Maurice Baquet
as Charles Bessard The Concierges' Son
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Edmond Beauchamp
as Priest on Train
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Jacques B. Brunius
as Baigneur
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Jean Daste
as The Model maker
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Marcel Duhamel
as The Foreman
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Odette Florelle
as Valentine
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Paul Grimault
as Typo
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Henri Guisol
as Meunier
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Rene Genin
as A Client at the Auberge
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Claire Gerard
as Prostitute
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Sylvain Itkine
as Batala's cousin
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Marcel Lévesque
as Bessard the Concierge
- Fabien Loris
- Marcel Lupovici
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Nadia Sibirskaïa
as Estelle
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Odette Talazac
as Mme. Bessard
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Paul Demange
as Creditor
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Guy Decombie
as Printer
- Yves Deniaud
