Fernandel being a total nerd in Ferdinand le noceur (1935)

Should you watch it?

If you like Fernandel and his giant, expressive horse-face, then yes. You should definitely watch this today. It is great for people who enjoy old French theater-style comedies where everyone is shouting and running through doors. But, if you hate movies where the plot is just one long misunderstanding, you will probably find it annoying.

Ferdinand is a chemist. He is the kind of guy who probably measures his morning coffee with a pipette. He is very honest and, honestly, a bit of a prude. He works at the Fourageot laboratories, which sounds very fancy but mostly seems to be a place where people stand around and talk about their personal lives.

His boss, Mr. Fourageot, is a total disaster. The guy is constantly juggling mistresses and trying to make sure his daughter doesn't find out he’s a womanizer. It’s funny because Ferdinand is the exact opposite. He is so straight-laced it almost hurts to watch him try to be normal.

The movie really gets going when the boss decides to use Ferdinand as a sort of shield. He wants Ferdinand to look like the one who is out partying so the boss can keep his own reputation clean. The title Ferdinand le noceur basically means 'Ferdinand the Party Animal,' which is the biggest joke in the whole film because he is about as wild as a piece of dry toast.

There is a scene in the laboratory early on that I really liked. There are all these glass tubes and bubbling liquids that look like they belong in a mad scientist movie, not a comedy. Fernandel holds a test tube with so much intensity you’d think he was discovering the cure for everything. He has this way of moving his mouth when he’s thinking that is just hilarious. It’s a very specific kind of physical comedy that you don't really see anymore.

I noticed the background characters a lot in this one. There is one guy who plays a lab assistant who just seems to be wandering around in the back of shots. He looks like he forgot his lines and is just trying to look busy with a beaker. It’s little imperfections like that which make these 1930s films feel so human. They didn't have the budget or the time to make everything perfect, so they just let it ride.

The daughter, played by Paulette Dubost, is like a spark plug. She has so much energy compared to the men in the movie. She is outgoing and stylish, and her hats are absolutely ridiculous. Seriously, some of the hats in this movie are so big I’m surprised they didn't knock over the equipment. It’s not quite as formal as something like Sixty Years a Queen, but the costumes are still a trip.

The pacing is a bit weird, though. Some scenes go on for about five minutes too long. There is a lot of talking. Like, a lot of talking. Because it was 1935, they were still kind of treating movies like filmed plays. Everyone stands in a semi-circle and shouts their lines so the microphone can hear them. It gives the whole thing a very loud, frantic energy.

It reminded me a bit of Champignol malgré lui. Both movies rely on Fernandel being put in a situation where he is totally out of his element. He is great at playing the guy who is trying to be dignified while the world around him is falling apart. I think he’s at his best when he’s looking confused. His eyes go wide and his chin drops, and you just know he’s about to say something stupid.

There is a sub-plot about a mistress that feels a bit dated now. The way they talk about women is very '1930s France,' which is to say, a bit clunky. But if you can look past that, the core of the movie is just a classic farce. It’s about a guy who just wants to do his chemistry and go home, but the world won't let him. I think we can all relate to that, even if we aren't famous French comedians.

I forgot to mention the music. It’s very jaunty. It pops up at the weirdest times, usually right when someone is falling over or making a funny face. It’s not subtle. Nothing about this movie is subtle. But that is kind of the point. It’s supposed to be a big, loud comedy for people who wanted to forget about their problems for ninety minutes.

One reaction shot of the boss lingers for so long it actually becomes funny. He just stares at the camera with this look of pure panic for about ten seconds. I don't know if the editor forgot to cut or if they just thought his face was that interesting. Either way, it made me laugh more than some of the actual jokes.

Is it a masterpiece? Probably not. It’s not going to change your life like a serious drama might. It’s not even as tight as some of the other comedies from that era. But it’s got a lot of heart and Fernandel is just a joy to watch. Even when the script is a bit thin, he carries the whole thing on his back.

The ending is a bit rushed. Everything gets resolved in about two minutes with a lot of fast talking and people shaking hands. It’s like they realized they were running out of film and needed to go to lunch. But honestly, it works. You don't need a deep explanation for a movie like this. You just need to know that the honest guy didn't get in too much trouble.

If you're looking for something that feels like a real piece of history but isn't boring, this is it. It’s a bit messy and the sound quality isn't perfect, but it feels alive. It’s much more interesting than some of the polished, boring stuff they put out now. Just be prepared for a lot of shouting and some very strange 1930s laboratory equipment.

Also, the name Ferdinand is just fun to say. Ferdinand. It fits his character perfectly. He looks like a Ferdinand. I don't know why, he just does. Anyway, check it out if you have the chance. It's a fun little time capsule of a movie.