The Crime of Monsieur Lange (1935)

Synopsis: While Jean Renoir is too much of an artist to descend to outright agitprop, his sympathy with the left is strongly in evidence in this film, made during the heyday of the Popular Front government.... While Jean Renoir is too much of an artist to descend to outright agitprop, his sympathy with the left is strongly in evidence in this film, made during the heyday of the Popular Front government. It stars Rene Lefevre as Amedee Lange, a minor employee in a small publishing company. In his spare time Lange concocts the ongoing adventures of a cowboy hero, Arizona Jim. His treacherous boss, Batala (Jules Berry), desperate to save his floundering company, is constantly trying to evade creditors and finally disappears with the firm's remaining capital. Shortly after, they hear of Batala's death in a train accident. Lange, with the help of an enlightened playboy, turns the company into a collective that becomes hugely successful publishing the Arizona Jim stories, and they augment their good fortune with a series of Arizona Jim films. Suddenly Batala reappears, disguised as a priest, and wants to resume control of his booming company. How will Lange handle this unpleasant turn of events? Despite the inclusion of farcical elements, this is a lovely, bittersweet film on the elusiveness of ideals. [More]

Starring: Rene Lefevre, Jules Berry, Sylvia Bataille

Starring: Rene Lefevre, Jules Berry, Sylvia Bataille

Director: Jean Renoir

Director: Jean Renoir

[See More Credits]