Screenplay: Rene Clair, (based on the stage play by Eugene Labiche and Marc Michel)
Editing: Rene ClairProduction: Alexandre Kamenka for Societe des Films Albatros
Director of Photography: Maurice Desfassiaux, Nicolas Roudakoff
Starring: Albert Prejean (Fadinard), Olga Tschechowa (Anais de Beauperthuis), Geymond Vital (Lieutenant Tavernier), Alex Allin (Felix), Marise Maia (Helene), Yvonneck (Nonancourt), Paul Ollivier (Uncle Vezinet), Louis Pre Fils (Cousin Bobin), Andre Volbert (Mayor), Jim Gerald (Monsieur de Beauperthuis)
Comedy - 122min - Silent - France
This elegant little farcical of a comedy is hardly remembered today. Its a shame because its a real pleasure to watch, there are so many great comedic moments that capturee how great silent comedy is and how it can escape from it's usual slapstick realm.
Fadinard is on his way to get married, until he is stopped in his tracks when his horse decides a straw hat that is sitting on a bush would make for a brilliant feast. Suddenly before the dapper Fadinard knows what hit him out from the bush pops out the aggressive Leutenant Tavernier and his lover Anais de Beauperthuis, the two have obviously been canoodling in the bushes. Anais is outraged that her hat is ruined because it could severely punish her marriage with the robust Monsieur de Beauperthuis. Fadinard doesn't really take it very seriously and tries to fob them off, well it is only a hat. But the couple pursue the issue and from then on Fadinard's wedding day is interrupted as he tries to find another Italian straw hat that is exactly the same. As it is a rare hat it becomes quite the task. And Ferdinard our hero embarks on his screwball adventure, he even leaves in the middle of his own wedding to go to the hat shop.
The plot is very thin but it doesn't really matter because of all the brilliant scenes, quirks and characters, this keeps things moving at a great pace. The film is quick witted and the ensemble cast of characters are the kind you would see in screwball comedy and its elegant's and charm remind's me of Ernst Lubitisch films. The cast of characters throughout the film have their own little annoyances they are constantly at odds with like their shoes not fitting right, a lost glove or a clip on tie not clipping and the deaf uncle whose hearing aid is clogged, these thing make for amusing scenarios that keep the film moving.
What's more there are hardly any title cards and the ones that do appear more or less just assure you of the going ons in the story to keep a solid narrative, but there is so much emphasis in the camera work and acting you almost don't need them, almost.
This elegant little farcical of a comedy is hardly remembered today. Its a shame because its a real pleasure to watch, there are so many great comedic moments that capturee how great silent comedy is and how it can escape from it's usual slapstick realm.
Fadinard is on his way to get married, until he is stopped in his tracks when his horse decides a straw hat that is sitting on a bush would make for a brilliant feast. Suddenly before the dapper Fadinard knows what hit him out from the bush pops out the aggressive Leutenant Tavernier and his lover Anais de Beauperthuis, the two have obviously been canoodling in the bushes. Anais is outraged that her hat is ruined because it could severely punish her marriage with the robust Monsieur de Beauperthuis. Fadinard doesn't really take it very seriously and tries to fob them off, well it is only a hat. But the couple pursue the issue and from then on Fadinard's wedding day is interrupted as he tries to find another Italian straw hat that is exactly the same. As it is a rare hat it becomes quite the task. And Ferdinard our hero embarks on his screwball adventure, he even leaves in the middle of his own wedding to go to the hat shop.
The plot is very thin but it doesn't really matter because of all the brilliant scenes, quirks and characters, this keeps things moving at a great pace. The film is quick witted and the ensemble cast of characters are the kind you would see in screwball comedy and its elegant's and charm remind's me of Ernst Lubitisch films. The cast of characters throughout the film have their own little annoyances they are constantly at odds with like their shoes not fitting right, a lost glove or a clip on tie not clipping and the deaf uncle whose hearing aid is clogged, these thing make for amusing scenarios that keep the film moving.
What's more there are hardly any title cards and the ones that do appear more or less just assure you of the going ons in the story to keep a solid narrative, but there is so much emphasis in the camera work and acting you almost don't need them, almost.
The Horse Ate the Hat was released January of 1928 in France and didn't hit American theatres until 1931. The late release is mainly because film maker Rene Clair didn't really make a splash until then, with his masterpieces A nous la Liberte (Freedom for us) and The Million came great acclaim.
The film is set in 1895 Paris, the original play made it's debut in the 1850's and was contemporary, Clair's decided change in time could be because 1895 is often regarded as the birth of film. The play was really successful and was being revived right into the 20th century. What is great about the film is the things Clair was able to do that wasn't shown on the stage, like apparently the stage version didn't show the horse actually eating the hat. Well film is just whole different ball game, like for instance there's a great over head shot of the wedding guests greeting each other, there are many great shots in this film, many representing the kind of filming that was done when the earliest movie's were made in 1895. Rene Clair was attracted to the plays ongoing action, otherwise he wasn't that thrilled in adapting it. His choice in changing the era and match 1895's filming endeavours like with scenes that just stay still and don't trolley along makes the film that much more appealing, two thumbs up Clair. And there are minimal close ups, so the actors were back lit to make sure they didn't blend into the beautiful decorative sets.
Great movie, go watch it
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