Nathalie (1957 film)

Nathalie is a 1957 Franco-Italian comedic crime motion picture helmed by director Christian-Jaque, featuring performances by Martine Carol, Mischa Auer, and Michel Piccoli. Production took place at Joinville Studios operated by Franstudio and Photosonor Studios in Paris, complemented by on-site filming at the Printemps department store and Orly Airport. The visual environment was crafted under the guidance of art director Robert Gys. This film was succeeded by the 1959 follow-up Nathalie, Secret Agent, which also starred Carol.

Synopsis

Nathalie, a model based in Paris, faces false allegations of pilfering an expensive hair ornament belonging to the countess de Lancy. Upon returning the item to the countess's residence in Neuilly, she discovers the countess has been murdered. After being abducted by criminals, Nathalie manages to flee and collaborates with a police inspector to solve the mystery. Their investigation reveals that the countess was leading a band of thieves and was killed by a competing criminal faction.

Cast

• Martine Carol as Nathalie Princesse
• Mischa Auer as Cyril Boran
• Michel Piccoli as Inspector Franck Marchal
• Louis Seigner as Commissioner Pipart
• Lise Delamare as Countess de Lancy
• Jacques Dufilho as Simon, the countess's servant
• Pierre Goutas as A friend of Coco
• Grégoire Gromoff as Taxi driver
• Jacques Mancier as Police inspector
• Jacques Mauclair as Émile Truffaut
• Armande Navarre as Pivoine
• Hubert Noël as Serge Lambert
• Frédéric O'Brady as Patins à ressort, man with a clubfoot
• Fernand Rauzéna as Géo, a friend of Coco
• Jess Hahn as Sam
• Aimé Clariond as Count Auguste Claude Superbe de Lancy
• Philippe Clay as Adolphe Faisant, nicknamed "Coco la Girafe"

Bibliography

• Chiti, Roberto & Poppi, Roberto. Dizionario del cinema italiano: Dal 1945 al 1959. Gremese Editore, 1991.
• Goble, Alan. The Complete Index to Literary Sources in Film. Walter de Gruyter, 1999.
• Nowell-Smith, Geoffrey. The Oxford History of World Cinema. Oxford University Press, 1996.