Ceux du rivage

Partly filmed in a fishing town of the Bassin D'Arcachon , this is the umpteenth story of "Romeo and Juliet" ; both lovers' fathers have been at odds for so long that no one can remember (or even know ) the reason why .But there's a recurrent feature of the Occupation days : the intruder ,a threat on the family ;the same year , in Maurice Tourneur's superior "le val d'enfer ", an unsavoury girl (ideally played by Ginette Leclerc)went as far as to send her in-laws in a home for retired people .Here , a calculating woman ,Lucette, wants to marry a wealthy fisherman , but there's perhaps something worse .The French "Juliette" hates this future stepmother and she 's impatiently waiting for her 21st birthday, when she can elope with her "Romeo".

The family secret is devoid of interest and it takes all Charpin's talent to make the denouement palatable ; remembering Pagnol's lessons ,he really steals the show from the lovers .