Criterion Club: Casque d'Or with John Anzalone

Hello cinema lovers, join John Anzalone for a sure to be interesting exploration of this rarely seen film, also Simone Signoret!

One could hardly imagine a better film apprenticeship that to serve as assistant on nine films by Jean Renoir. During the 30s, Jacques Becker was always by Renoir’s side. He was thus well prepared to begin his own directorial career: thirteen films shot from 1942 to 1960, three of which are important enough to constitute a legacy. Touchez pas au Grisbi (Hands off the Loot, 1954) inaugurated a very French style of gangster picture as well as reviving the career of Jean Gabin. Le Trou (The Tunnel, 1960), Becker’s last film, is a taut thriller about a prison escape.
But of all Becker’s work, Casque d’Or (1952) remains at the summit as his most personal and accomplished work. A tragic love story; an impeccable period piece, suffused with evocations of Auguste Renoir, Cézanne and Maupassant;it is a tale of jealousy and revenge among belle-époque thugs. But most of all, a film marked by the performance and allure of an actress on the cusp of international stardom. Simone Signoret is Marie (“a blond in bloom” as David Thomson aptly describes her), who goes by Casque d’Or because of her memorable updo that looks like a golden helmet. She’s the mistress of the sleazy gangster Roland and she’s violently coveted by the gang boss Leca. But her heart belongs to the carpenter Manda, an ex-con wanting nothing to do with his former life, and for a time they live a dreamy romance.
Shot on locations whose immediacy still sparkles 70 years on, the film is by turns lyrical, romantic, violent and passionate. And you will not soon forget the unexpected, perfectly filmed final sequence.
Available only on Criterion channel
(If people do not have access to Criterion or are interested I am happy to host small watch party at my place!)

Free parking on the street as well as the lot behind the library

Free street parking and in the lot adjacent to the library

THIS IS A WATCH AT HOME EVENT, THE FILM WILL NOT BE SCREEENED IN ITS ENTIRETY