Mr Poirier's Son-in-Law (1933)
Marcel Pagnol's sharp, warmhearted comedy of class ambition and mismatched marriage in early French sound cinema.
Mr Poirier's Son-in-Law - Movie Information
- Original Title: Le Gendre de monsieur Poirier
- Release Year: 1933
- Directed by: Marcel Pagnol
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy
- Runtime: 1h 42m
- Original Language: French
- Spoken Languages: French
- Release Date (Theatrical): January 1, 1933 (France)
- Production Companies: Les Auteurs Associés
- Production Countries: France
Mr Poirier's Son-in-Law - Plot
This is the story of a wealthy bourgeois who marries his only child, a daughter, to a penniless nobleman because he hopes to use his son-in-law to get a title. The son-in-law is a lazy, affected stereotype; but M. Poirier is also a stereotype, of the obnoxious big businessman. The poor daughter, who falls in love with her husband, lets him walk all over her.
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Mr Poirier's Son-in-Law - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Marcel Pagnol
Main Cast
- Léon Bernard
- Annie Ducaux
- Jean Debucourt
- Maurice Escande
- Fernand Charpin
- Raoul Marco
- Albert Gercourt
- Henry Darbray
- Michel Kovachevitch
Writers
- Marcel Pagnol
Mr Poirier's Son-in-Law - FAQs
What is Mr Poirier's Son-in-Law about?
The film follows a wealthy bourgeois who arranges his daughter's marriage to a penniless nobleman, hoping the match will earn him a noble title. His son-in-law turns out to be idle and self-important, while his daughter quietly falls in love with her indifferent husband — a sharp, bittersweet comedy of class and vanity.
Is Mr Poirier's Son-in-Law based on a stage play?
Yes, the film is adapted from Le Gendre de Monsieur Poirier, a celebrated 19th-century French stage comedy written by Émile Augier and Jules Sandeau, first performed in 1854. Marcel Pagnol brought his characteristic warmth and wit to the adaptation, staying close to the original play's satirical spirit.
Who directed Mr Poirier's Son-in-Law?
Marcel Pagnol directed the film. Pagnol was one of the most beloved figures in French cinema and theatre, celebrated for works like Marius, Fanny, and Jean de Florette. His adaptation of this classic stage comedy showcases his gift for character-driven storytelling and sharp social observation.
Who are the main actors in this film?
The cast is led by Léon Bernard as the pompous Monsieur Poirier, Annie Ducaux as his long-suffering daughter Antoinette, and Jean Debucourt as the aristocratic but idle son-in-law Gaston de Presles. Maurice Escande and Fernand Charpin round out the strong ensemble.
What themes does Mr Poirier's Son-in-Law explore?
At its heart, the film skewers the collision between bourgeois ambition and aristocratic idleness. It examines class snobbery, the commodification of marriage, and the quiet suffering of women caught between social arrangements and genuine feeling. Pagnol balances sharp satire with genuine sympathy for his characters.
What genre is Mr Poirier's Son-in-Law?
It's a comedy — but one with real emotional depth. The film blends social satire with character study, poking fun at both the pretensions of the bourgeoisie and the hollow pride of the old nobility. Fans of classic French cinema and sharp, dialogue-driven humour will find plenty to enjoy.
What are similar films to Mr Poirier's Son-in-Law?
If you enjoy this film, you'll likely love other Pagnol classics like My Father's Glory, My Mother's Castle, and Jean de Florette. Naïs (1945), also adapted from a Pagnol work, is another great pick. All share that distinctive warmth, wit, and deeply human portrayal of French provincial life.
How long is Mr Poirier's Son-in-Law?
The film runs 1 hour and 42 minutes — a comfortable length that gives Pagnol room to let the characters breathe and the comedy develop at a leisurely, theatrical pace typical of his early sound films.
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