The "Petit Papa Noel" (=sweet daddy Xmas)lullaby has become such a perennial that in 2008 Josh Groban felt compelled to include it in his best -seller "Noel" ;52 years after ,it was still selling.

Needless to say,the movie is quite forgotten and the song must have been catchy to survive such a dud!It is heard three times ,including one with full orchestra and heavenly choirs;Tino Rossi,who created the song ,sings also three or four other songs ,but whereas "petit Papa Noel" has not lost its appeal today ,because this is a song every child in France knows as soon he is able to sing for Xmas,these ditties may make you use the "fast forward" button,if your kind of music is,say,Bruce Springsteen.

The movie tells the story of two brothers ,both played by Rossi: the good one ,the virtuous gent ,an acclaimed singer who hit the big time in America (Rossi never did),a widower with a son,a man who never drinks,never smokes,never gambles and never dates women... In direct contrast with him,we have the twin brother (only their mother can....),a naughty boy who lives a wild life ,abetted by a bad gal,who has been just released from jail ,who blackmails his admirable brother,who goes as far as to kidnap his little brat....

A short scene featuring a grumpy -as always- Gabrielle Fontan as a two-bit fortune teller crying for coffee and another one ,a bit longer ,featuring Marcelle Géniat as the Corse Mamma -in spite of a racist gaffe in one of her lines- are pleasant.That makes about five minutes.Plus "Petit Papa Noel" ,which ,in its modest way,predates what Hitchcock will do with Doris Day and her "que sera sera" in "the man who knew too much" second version.

French-language cinema, whether in France, Québec, or other Francophone regions, explores cultural identity, social change, and the tension between the individual and society. French cinema is not only celebrated for its intellectual experimentation and auteur traditions, but also its success in mainstream comedy, romance, and commercial entertainment. In Québec, films often focus on questions of language, belonging, and community within a distinct cultural landscape.

Jean-Pierre Léaud in The 400 Blows (1959)

The comedy genre refers to a category of entertainment that aims to amuse and entertain audiences by using humor, wit, and comedic situations. Comedies are created with the primary intention of eliciting laughter and providing lighthearted enjoyment. They encompass a wide range of styles, tones, and themes, appealing to various tastes and audiences.

Will Ferrell, Angela Grillo, and Lap-Gei Cheung in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

The musical genre features stories that combine music, singing, dancing, acting, and often spoken dialogue to tell a story or convey a narrative. Musicals incorporate various elements of drama, music, and choreography to create a cohesive theatrical experience that engages audiences on multiple levels.

Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music (1965)

This is the story of two brothers: the good one, the virtuous gent, an acclaimed singer, and the bad one who leads a wild life.

Compagnie Commerciale Française Cinématographique (CCFC)

The Biggest Movies and TV Coming in September

See which big screen releases you can watch from the comfort of your couch.

Theatrical Releases Coming to Streaming

Get a closer look at these actors from their many TV and streaming series roles.

Streaming Stars, Then and Now

Micheline Francey and Thierry Francey in Destins (1946)

Tino Rossi and Thierry Francey in Destins (1946)

Mila Parély and Tino Rossi in Destins (1946)

Armand Bernard, Micheline Francey, and Tino Rossi in Destins (1946)

Micheline Francey, Tino Rossi, and Thierry Francey in Destins (1946)

Destins

Photos9

Top Cast21

User reviews1

Related interests

Storyline

Did you know

Top picks

Details

Tech specs

Contribute to this page

More to explore

Recently viewed