House of Pleasure (1952) ( Le Plaisir )

House of Pleasure (1952) (Blu-Ray) (*)

$26.99

Original Title: Le Plaisir
Screened, competed or awarded at:
Oscar Academy Awards

Language Selections:
English ( Subtitles )
French ( Dolby DTS-HD Master Audio )
French ( Mono )
French ( Subtitles )

Product Origin/Format:
France ( Blu-Ray/Region A/B/C )

Running Time:
97 min

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen

Special Features:
Cast/Crew Interview(s)
Interactive Menu
Scene Access
Trailer(s)
Black & White
Remastered

Movie filmed in 1952 and produced in:
France ( France, Benelux )

Directed By:
Max Ophüls

Written By:
Guy de Maupassant
Jacques Natanson

Actors:
Claude Dauphin ..... Le docteur (segment "Le Masque")
Gaby Morlay ..... Denise - la femme d"Ambroise (segment "Le Masque")
Madeleine Renaud ..... Julia Tellier (segment "La Maison Tellier")
Ginette Leclerc ..... Madame Flora dite Balançoire (segment "La Maison Tellier")
Mila Parély ..... Madame Raphaële (segment "La Maison Tellier") (as Mila Parely)
Danielle Darrieux ..... Madame Rosa (segment "La Maison Tellier")
Pierre Brasseur ..... Julien Ledentu - Le commis-voyageur (segment "La Maison Tellier")
Jean Gabin ..... Joseph Rivet (segment "La Maison Tellier")
Jean Servais ..... L'ami de Jean / La voix de Maupassant (segment "Le Modèle")
Daniel Gélin ..... Jean, le peintre (segment "Le Modèle") (as Daniel Gelin)
Simone Simon ..... Joséphine - le modèle (segment "Le Modèle")
Amédée ..... Frédéric - le serveur (segment "La Maison Tellier")
Paul Azaïs ..... Le patron du bal (segment "Le Masque")
Antoine Balpêtré ..... Monsieur Poulain - L'ancien maire (segment "La Maison Tellier") (as Balpétré)
René Blancard ..... Le maire (segment "La Maison Tellier")

Synopsis:

The works of Guy de Maupassant have likely been adapted by more French filmmakers than those of any other author (with the possible exception of Georges Simenon). Max Ophuls harnesses three Maupassant short stories to suit his artistic purposes in Le Plaisir (House of Pleasure). In "The Mask," an aging lothario (Jean Galland) learns more about himself than he cares to when he dons a mask to cover his wrinkles. In "The House of Madame Tellier," the proprietress of a brothel (Madeline Renaud) closes up shop one day for an unusual (for her) personal mission. And in "The Model," both the title character (Simone Simon) and her artist-lover (Daniel Gelin) pay the price for her romantic impulsiveness. Each of the playlets in Le Plaisir explore conflicting sides of human nature -- a theme common to both the works of Maupassant and the films of Ophuls.

Le Masque
A somewhat artificial looking young dandy goes to an ornate dance hall, where he finds a young woman to be his dance partner. When he faints from the exertion, a doctor is called. He discovers that the dandy is in fact an old man wearing a mask to hide his aged appearance. The doctor takes the old man home to his patient wife. She explains that her husband Ambroise used to attract the ladies who frequented the hairdresser salon where he worked, but in the space of two years, he lost his looks. He goes out in disguise in an attempt to recapture his youth.

La Maison Tellier
Julia Tellier, the well-respected madam of a small-town whorehouse, takes her girls on an outing to her brother's village to attend the first communion of her niece. Her regular patrons are taken aback when they discover the whorehouse closed without explanation that Saturday night. One finally discovers a sign explaining the reason and is relieved. Julia's brother becomes infatuated with Rosa, one of her workers, and promises to visit next month.

Le Modèle
An artist falls in love with his model. Things are idyllic at first, but after living together for a while, they begin to quarrel constantly. Finally, he moves in with his friend. She eventually finds him, but he wants no more to do with her. He ignores her threat to jump from a window, and is so guilt-ridden when she does so immediately that he marries her.

Three stories about the pleasure. The first one is about a man hiding his age behind a mask to keep going to balls and fancying women - pleasure and youth. Then comes the long tale of Mme Tellier taking her girls (whores) to the country for attending her niece's communion - pleasure and purity. And lastly, Jean the painter falling in love with his model - pleasure and death.

This product was added to our catalog on Thursday 13 March, 2014.

Customers who bought this product also purchased

MR 73 (2008) (Blu-Ray)	The Irresistible Rise of Moïse Katumbi (DVD)	They Were Five (1936) (Blu-Ray)
Dainah the half-breed (1932) (Blu-Ray)	Love Is My Profession (DVD)	The Story of the Fox (DVD)