The art of Louis Jouvet 

Clouzot, Carné, Renoir, Duvivier… to claim that Louis Jouvet’s career crossed paths with some of the greatest French filmmakers of his time would be an understatement. A towering figure of the theatre at the turn of the 1920s, he left his mark on the era through his illustrious collaborations (most notably with Jean Giraudoux) and created the character of ‘Dr. Knock’ for the stage, a resounding success, which he would later transpose to the big screen. He was a precursor in joining the realms of theatre and cinema, opening a passageway between the two arts. His rich film career boasted over thirty motion pictures, many of them masterpieces, imbued with the undeniable strength of his roles in works like A Lover’s Return, Quai des Orfèvres/Jenny Lamour and The End of the Day. His impact was considerable, reaching as far as New York, where Lee Strasberg, founder of the Actors Studio, said of Jouvet, ‘He was the first to turn the actor into a creative force’. 

Our thanks to Gaumont, Les Acacias, Les Productions Jacques Roitfeld, MK2 Films, Pathé, René Chateau, SND, Tamasa. 

 


In partnership with the INA, which will present archives on Louis Jouvet at certain screenings.

Screenings

The Lower Depths/Underworld by Jean Renoir (Les Bas-fonds, 1936, 1h33, VFSTA) 
A group of marginalised characters live in a seedy boarding house, including Pépel the thief, who has befriended the ruined Baron he was trying to rob... Biting dialogue and all of Renoir's artistry are on display in this adaptation of Gorky's Russian classic, with magnificent performances by Gabin and Jouvet.
Institut Lumière (Hangar) Sun12 9.15am | Pathé Bellecour Wed15 7.15pm | Comœdia Fri17 10.45am | UGC Astoria Sun19 2.15pm 

Life Dances On/Dance of Life by Julien Duvivier (Un carnet de bal, 1937, 2h05) 
A young widow rediscovers her dance card and decides to investigate what has become of her past dance partners... A series of portraits is brilliantly portrayed by a star-studded cast including Harry Baur, Pierre Blanchar, Fernandel, Louis Jouvet and Raimu.
UGC Confluence Mon13 11am | Institut Lumière (Villa) Tue14 4.15pm ST-SME | Pathé Bellecour Thu16 10.45am | UGC Astoria Sat18 2.15pm 

Bizarre, Bizarre/Drôle de drame by Marcel Carné (Drôle de drame, 1937, 1h34) 
.In 1900s London, Irwin Molyneux (Michel Simon) pens crime novels under a pseudonym. While dining at the Molyneux residence, Bishop Soper (Louis Jouvet) vilifies this form of literature... A petulant detective comedy featuring dazzling dialogue by Jacques Prévert.
UGC Astoria Sun12 11am | UGC Confluence Mon13 2pm | Pathé Bellecour Tue14 1.30pm | Comœdia Thu16 6.45pm 

The Alibi by Pierre Chenal (L’Alibi,1937, 1h24) 
A music hall telepath devises a plan to avoid being suspected of murder. Inspector Callas is on the case... A meeting of two giants of cinema, pitting the enigmatic von Stroheim against the engaging Jouvet. 
UGC Confluence Tue14 7.45pm | Lumière Terreaux Thu16 2.30pm | Pathé Bellecour Fri17 6.30pm 

Hôtel du Nord/North Hotel  by Marcel Carné (Hôtel du Nord, 1938, 1h35, VFSTA) 
In a hotel on the border of the Saint-Martin Canal, a young couple decides to end their relationship, while the other residents come and go... An absolute classic of dark realism, with unforgettable dialogue by Henri Jeanson, starring Arletty, Annabella, Jean-Pierre Aumont and Louis Jouvet.
Neuville-sur-Saône Sun12 4pm | Comœdia Mon13 5pm | UGC Confluence Wed15 1.30pm | Pathé Bellecour Thu16 2.30pm | Lumière Terreaux Sat18 6.45pm 

The End of the Day by Julien Duvivier (La Fin du jour, 1939, 1h45, VFSTA) 
In a retirement home for elderly actors, three residents (Louis Jouvet, Michel Simon and Victor Francen) clash and tear each other apart... A dark and acerbic tale on egocentrism and the fear of ageing.
Pathé Bellecour Mon13 2.30pm | UGC Astoria Thu16 5.45pm | UGC Confluence Sat18 11.15am 

The Phantom Carriage by Julien Duvivier (La Charrette fantôme, 1940, 1h33)
During a scuffle, David (Pierre Fresnay) abandons his friend Georges (Louis Jouvet), who dies from a stab wound at the final stroke of midnight... A remarkable film where the fantastic slowly creeps into the narrative.
Pathé Bellecour Mon13 10.45am | Lumière Terreaux Tue14 2pm 

A Lover’s Return by Christian-Jaque (Un revenant, 1946, 1h47, VFSTA)
Jean-Jacques Sauvage returns to Lyon, determined to shed light on the circumstances surrounding an accident he was the victim of twenty years prior. Featuring Louis Jouvet, Gaby Morlay, François Périer, and the always entertaining Marguerite Moreno. A delight!
Institut Lumière (Villa) Sat11 4.30pm | Lumière Bellecour Mon13 7.30pm | Cinéma St-Denis Tue14 8.30pm | UGC Confluence Wed15 11.15am | Sainte-Foy-lès-Lyon Sat18 6.15pm | Pathé Bellecour Sun19 5.45pm

Carbon Copy/Confessions of a Rogue/Perfect Double by Jean Dréville (Copie conforme, 1947, 1h45, VFSTA)
A con artist, an expert in disguises, hires his doppelganger to serve as an alibi... Louis Jouvet plays his own counterpart by switching roles, deploying the full extent of his acting prowess. A master! 
Lumière Terreaux Sun12 1.30pm | UGC Confluence Wed15 6.15pm | Pathé Bellecour Sun19 11.15am ST-SME 

Jenny Lamour by Henri-Georges Clouzot (Quai des Orfèvres, 1947, 1h45, VFSTA)
Investigation into the murder of a wealthy, perverted old man. Jenny Lamour's husband becomes the prime suspect... A delectable thriller revealing Clouzot's dark side and the brilliant cast of actors: Jouvet, Blier, Dullin and Delair.
UGC Confluence Sun12 11.15am | Mions Mon13 8pm | UGC Astoria Wed15 11am | Comœdia Thu16 11.15am | Rillieux Sat18 7.30pm | Institut Lumière (Hangar) Sun19 2pm 

Lovers Are Alone in the World by Henri Decoin (Les Amoureux sont seuls au monde, 1948, 1h44, VFSTA)
A famous composer, still as deeply in love with his wife as the day they first met, becomes the target of the tabloid press after 18 years of marriage... An intimist drama, starring Louis Jouvet, Dany Robin and Renée Devillers.
UGC Astoria Mon13 4.15pm | Lumière Bellecour Fri17 8pm ST-SME | Pathé Bellecour Sat18 11.15am 

Between Eleven and Midnight by Henri Decoin (Entre onze heures et minuit, 1949, 1h40) 
Inspector Carrel is investigating several murders, including one done by a professional gangster who looks exactly like him... A captivating and highly original detective flick starring Louis Jouvet.
Institut Lumière (Hangar) Sat11 10.45am | Comœdia Fri17 5.15pm  | Pathé Bellecour Sat18 2pm | Institut Lumière (Villa) Sun19 2pm

Doctor Knock/Dr. Knock by Guy Lefranc (1951, 1h44, VFSTA)
Dr. Knock inherits the patient list of a colleague and quickly applies his ‘philisophy’: anyone in good health is actually a sick person but just doesn't know it yet...The doctor was a defining role in Jouvet's theatre and film career, humorously cynical.
Institut Lumière (Villa) Mon13 2pm STSME | Lumière Terreaux Tue14 6.15pm | Pathé Bellecour Thu16 11.15am | Caluire Thu16 8.30pm | Pathé Bellecour Fri17 5.15pm | UGC Confluence Sun19 11.15am 

Young Love by Guy Lefranc (Une histoire d'amour, 1951, 1h34, VFSTA)
De jeunes amants se sont suicidés au cyanure. L’inspecteur Plonche va chercher à comprendre… Jouvet (dont c’est le dernier film) incarne un inspecteur qui passe d’un monde à l’autre pour en révéler les mécanismes et les bassesses qui conduisent à la mort.
Lumière Terreaux Sun12 11am | Lumière Terreaux Fri17 1.45pm | Comœdia Sat18 10.45am