Os Novos Ricos

The nouveau Riche subject was much better applied on Jean Dréville's "Les Affaires Sont Les Affaires " (1942);that movie and "Les Nouveaux Riches" have many things in common: the now wealthy man has his sight fixed high and is cynical enough to ruin his concurrent;his friend's wife is not used to live in a castle and she shows herself gauche when she welcomes her chic guests .And last but not least,only the Young lovers know that money cannot buy happiness.

Dreville's movie is based on Octave Mirbeau's scathing play ,and that accounts for the difference between the two movies:"Les Nouveaux riches" has a rather flat script,devoid of great lines .The actors are left to their own devices,and fortunately they are great:Michel Simon and Raimu together is just a joy although they did not get on very well and the latter swore he would never make a movie with the former again;the irresistible Betty Stockfeld who starred in "Fanfare D'Amour" ,the first version of "some like it hot" ,is wasted.

NB:The "Les Affaires Sont Les Affaires "lead was to be Raimu too,but he was finally replaced by Charles Vanel,who gave a memorable performance.