Gribiche 1926

Description

Gribiche 1926
1h 53min | Drama | 2 April 1926 (France)

Storyline

A sincere working-class 13-year old in France is adopted by a well-meaning philanthropic millionairess from America — who promises his doting mother that the boy will have the finest education — but things are not so simple.

User review:

In a busy French department store, perceptive young Jean Forest (as Antoine “Gribiche” Belot) picks up some gloves for his mother. While watching other customers, the boy notices wealthy socialite Francoise Rosay (as Edith Maranet) unknowingly drop her purse. Young Forest runs to return Ms. Rosay’s purse, then declines her offer of a reward. Impressed with Forest, Rosay contacts his mother with an offer. She will adopt him and provide Forest with the best education money can buy. Believing her son will benefit from a luxurious lifestyle, widow Cecile Guyon (as Anne Belot) gives up her son…

The morale of the story is obvious, but there is nary a dull moment in this silent feature. Direction by Jacques Feyder is excellent. The set decoration is likewise, and moves the story effectively, too. Note the cold sparseness of Forest’s mansion bed compared to his richly adorned “poor” one. This was Forest’s last film with Mr. Feyder – and it’s his best performance. He even handles nude scenes well. Also terrific are the “mothers” – Ms. Rosay and Ms. Guyon. Of course, Rosay knew and had acted with Forest before; she was the directors’ wife. Sadly, this was the last film for Guyon; she died at age 36.

Director: Jacques Feyder
Writers: Frédéric Boutet (novel), Jacques Feyder
Stars: Jean Forest, Rolla Norman, Françoise Rosay

Mother of Mine (1926)

65 min|Drama|22 Dec 1928

6.9Rating: 6.9 / 10 from 116 users

A sincere working-class 13-year old in France is adopted by a well-meaning philanthropic millionairess from America — who promises his doting mother that the boy will have the finest education — but things are not so simple.

Director: Jacques Feyder
Creator: Frédéric Boutet (novel), Jacques Feyder
Actors: Jean Forest, Rolla Norman, Françoise Rosay, Cécile Guyon