The French, They are a Funny Race

 

The French, They are a Funny race, is a comedy based on the novel by Pierre Daninos "les carnets du major Thompson" (the Notebooks of major Thompson), a best-seller in France in the early 1950s. It depicts the adventures of a crusty, middle-aged English officer, retired and widowed, and living in Paris. Major Thompson tries to adapt to French ways and falls in love with beautiful and frivolous Martine, which raised the ultimate question: will their child be brought up as a proper Englishman or a swinging Frenchman?

Starring Jack Buchanan and Martine Carole, the film was released in France on 9 December 1955 and almost two years later (20 May 1957) in the United States, after some additional polishing.

The French, They are a Funny race, is the last film directed by Preston Sturges. Unfortunately, Sturges, who had written and directed several great comedies (The Palm Beach story, Miracle of Morgan's creek) has lost his touch. The film lurches from one weak scene to another. It is simply a series of comments by the major who is writing some screeds about his French friends, his casual observations and his domestic problems with a pretty French wife, and it lacks wit, electricity and even plot.

Cast and Crew

Screen play by Preston Sturges

Directed by Mr. Sturges

Produced by Alain Poire and Paul Wagner for Gaumont Films

Major Thompson                    Jack Buchanan
Martine Thompson                 Martine Carol
M. Taupin (Friend of Major)   Noel-Noel
Miss Ffyth (The Nurse)          Totti Truman Taylor
Ursula (First wife of Major)    Catherine Boyl
M. Fusillard                               Andre Luguet
Mlle. Sylvette                            Genevieve Brunet