Ève et le serpent (1949)
Directed by Charles-Félix Tavano

Film Review

Ève et le Serpent, the last but one of a mere half a dozen full-length films directed by Charles-Félix Tavano, is a fairly undistinguished little comedy (very much in the Feudeau farce tradition) that is handsomely redeemed by the ebullient performances from its lead performers, Jacqueline Gauthier and Félix Oudart.  The contest that ensues when the Falstaff-like Oudart lures the unsuspecting nymph Gauthier into his apartment for supposedly distractions honnêtes is tirelessly entertaining and attains hilarious proportions as the farce periodically erupts into Mack Sennett slapstick, with dessert and broken pottery flying in all directions.  Even Oudart's ample bulk risks going into orbit at one point, thanks to a well-timed jiu-jitsu move.

To save her honour, Gauthier is forced to put on what looks like a Mummy facemask and sabotage a dinner party, and even when she has staged a fake hold-up to recover the contract that effectively makes her Oudart's prisoner for a month, she cannot escape.  Gaby Morlay puts in an appearance as an actress of limited ability (how unfair) but she ends up being totally eclipsed by the less well-known Marguerite Deval, who is a delight to watch as the interfering and pathologically nosey Madame Béchut.  Ève et le Serpent is one of those cheaply made, silly comedies that all too easily fall into obscurity (usually with some reason), but its robust comedy performances and unflagging sense of fun have allowed it to endure - not as a classic but as a surprisingly entertaining little timewaster.

Film Synopsis

Georges and Louisette are neighbours in a Parisian apartment block who, whilst not sharing the same taste in music, fall hopelessly in love and decide to get married.  Neither has any money and the wedding must wait until Georges has completed his medical studies.  When he learns that his father is no longer able to support him financially, Georges must look for another source of income.  This he finds in a wealthy man-eater who lives a few floors above him - she is apparently more than willing to pay handsomely for some private health care.  Appalled by this prospect, Louisette finds the money Georges needs herself.  This she does by agreeing to spend a whole month in the flat of another neighbour, Monsieur Grombat, not yet knowing that his motives are far from entirely innocent.

Monsieur Grombat professes that all he needs is some female company to help him pass his lonely hours, whereas what he is really after is a nice little thing he can seduce.  Louisette realises her mistake too late - she has signed a contract that is legally binding!  The only way out is for her to make her lecherous employer's life as hard as she can.  Alas, Monsieur Grombat has no intention of letting her go until the term specified in the contract has elapsed.  Meanwhile, Georges is wondering what has become of his fiancée.  He can hardly believe his ears when he learns the truth from his concierge, Madame Béchut...