Monsieur Le Fox Review: A Charming Old Rogue, Even if It's a Bit Slow

If you're in the mood for some old-school adventure, something with a bit of a twinkle in its eye, then Monsieur Le Fox might be worth digging up.

It's definitely not for folks who need things moving at a breakneck pace or those who can't stand silent film-era sensibilities. But if you appreciate a classic rogue and some snowy landscapes, you might just find yourself smiling. Others, well, they might just wonder why anyone bothered.

The whole thing kicks off with a missing gold shipment. And wouldn't you know it, the finger points straight at Louis LeBey, played by Gilbert Roland.

Roland, he's got this undeniable charm here, a sort of playful swagger that makes it hard to truly believe he's a villain, even when the plot tries to tell you he is. You just know he's going to be okay.

Then Nedra Ruskin shows up. Louis, of course, is instantly smitten. You can almost feel the movie trying to make this connection really important, but honestly, it’s more about the spark it ignites in another character.

Enter Woolie-Woolie. Yes, Woolie-Woolie. Her name alone is a whole vibe. She's got eyes for Louis, and when Nedra enters the picture, Woolie-Woolie gets properly jealous. It's a quick pivot, almost too quick, from background character to informant. She just spills the beans to the Sergeant about where Louis stashed the gold. No hesitation, just pure, simple envy. 🤷‍♀️

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Monsieur Le Fox (1930) through its definitive frames.

The Sergeant, played by Robert Elliott, is a man of singular focus. He suspects Louis, and that's that. No matter what Louis does, even after Louis literally saves his life when his dog team takes a dramatic tumble.

That scene, actually, the dog team crashing, it's pretty wild. You see it and you think, "Wow, they really did that back then." It feels very real, perhaps a little too real.

Louis isn't just saving Sergeants, though. He’s also busy saving Nedra from an avalanche. Again, the special effects of the era are on full display here. It’s not CGI, clearly, but you can feel the effort. It’s a proper bit of old-fashioned peril.

So, Louis brings the injured Nedra back to the settlement. You’d think after all that heroism – saving the lawman, saving the lady – he’d get a pass. Nope. The Sergeant, bless his persistent heart, just claps him in irons. It’s almost comical how dedicated he is to his initial suspicion.

The film has these moments, you know? Like Louis's constant smirk, even when things are going bad. Or the way some of the close-ups just linger. They linger so long you start to notice the sets, the slightly wonky angles. It's not a critique, just an observation. It tells you something about how films were made, how they held a shot.

Ultimately, it’s a pretty simple story. A bad guy who isn't really bad. A love triangle that feels more like a plot device. And a lot of snowy landscapes. It’s charming, yes, but also a bit thin. You watch it and you think, "Okay, that was a film." No big revelations, just a straightforward journey with a charismatic lead.

Didja notice?

• That incredibly long shot of Louis just looking at Nedra.
• Woolie-Woolie’s name still makes me chuckle.
• The dog team crash felt a bit rough, honestly. Hope those dogs were okay.
• How the Sergeant never, ever changes his mind. What a guy.
• The avalanche looked… like a lot of dirt and snow falling. Effective for its time, I guess! 🏔️
• Gilbert Roland's grin is probably the best special effect in the whole movie.