Lidoire (1933)
Directed by Maurice Tourneur

Film Review

Having worked together on Les Gaietés de l'escadron , director Maurice Tourneur and comic actor Fernandel once again join forces on this comic short, which might well have been an extract from that earlier film.  The film has not aged well, and the comedy now feels pretty puerile and unsophisticated - not the kind of film you would expect of someone with Tourneur's artistic reputation.  Still, it is always a pleasure to see a fresh-faced Fernandel in one of his early film roles.

Film Synopsis

Lidoire is a timid young man from a modest family background who is presently serving his military service in a light cavalry regiment in France.  An easy-going youth, the kind who hasn't an aggressive impulse in his entire body, Lidoire soon finds that he is not cut out for army life and so he is an easy target for his bullying adjutant, who takes advantage of every opportunity that comes his way to make life hell for those unfortunate enough to be under his command.  At present, Lidoire shares a barrack with the regiment's trumpet player, La Biscotte, a lively reveller who has a knack for getting his friend into trouble.  After one evening of particularly exuberant revelry, La Biscotte returns to barracks in a state of total intoxication.  Naturally inclined to play the mother hen to those who are in difficulty, Lidoire goes out of his way to cover up his inebriated friend's rowdy behaviour, but in doing so he once again incurs the wrath of his merciless adjutant.  It's definitely no fun being in the army...