Le bal

An absolute delight. Germaine Dermoz and André Lefaur are a hoot as the lovable husband and wife who are made rich and foolish when some old shares suddenly come good. Dermoz's face flickers amusingly through every moment as her social hopes rise and fall and she is distracted by a romantic flirtation. But when is Danielle Darrieux ever not the star! Here she is, a fifteen year-old in her first ever film, blissfully spoilt by her parents, spiritedly singing, and plonking her way through the piano at the behest of the mad piano-teaching cousin. The build-up to the big ball as the musicians and waiters arrive is such fun even as we cringe. Utterly enjoyable from beginning to end.