Film Forum

(1931, Alexander Korda) Pagnol’s entry into cinema was as producer and screenwriter on the film of his hit play, the action taking place mainly in the Marseilles waterfront’s Bar de la Marine, owned by the crabby but lovable César (Raimu) whose son Marius (Pierre Fesnay) finds the lure of the sea stronger than his love for Fanny (Orane Demazis, then the off-screen Mme. Pagnol). The wonderfully performed characters and the comic set pieces immediately establish the warm atmosphere of the trilogy. DCP. Approx. 130 min.

Part one of Marcel Pagnol’s Marseilles Trilogy.

FANNY (part two) screens Sunday, April 28 at 4:00.

CÉSAR (part three) screens Sunday, April 28 at 6:25.