The Prize (1950 film)

The Prize (Le rosier de Madame Husson)

Industry	Film
Founded	1950 (1950)
Headquarters	Paris , France
Products	Motion picture

The Prize (original French title: Le rosier de Madame Husson) is a French comedic motion picture released in 1950, directed by Jean Boyer and featuring performances by Bourvil, Jacqueline Pagnol, and Mireille Perrey. This film adapts the 1887 literary work Le Rosier de Madame Husson. Production took place at the Saint-Maurice Studios in Paris as well as on-site in Normandy, notably within the Eure region. The visual environment was crafted under the guidance of art director Robert Giordani. Upon release, it achieved considerable box office success, becoming the seventh highest-grossing film in France during 1950.

Synopsis

In a quaint village, a collective of elderly ladies resolves to bestow an award for virtue upon a young woman known for her impeccable character. When no suitable female candidate emerges, they instead honor Isidore, a timid and innocent young man who harbors apprehension toward women. Following an eye-opening evening with a countess who serves on the award committee, Isidore returns home transformed into a self-assured and sophisticated individual.

Cast

• Bourvil portraying Isidore Pastouret
• Jacqueline Pagnol as Élodie – the shepherdess / Young Girl
• Mireille Perrey in the role of La comtesse de Blonville / Countess de Blonville
• Pauline Carton as Virginie Pastouret – the grocer
• Henri Vilbert playing Le brigadier / Brigadier of the Gendarmerie
• Jeanne Véniat as Madame Pitard
• Albert Duvaleix in the role of Le curé / Priest
• Germaine Reuver portraying Nicoline – the farmer's wife
• Jean Dunot as Polyte – the farmer
• Nina Myral playing Madame de Gondreville
• Christian Lude as Le docteur Barbesol
• Yvette Etiévant portraying Marie
• Georges Baconnet in the role of Fulgence Laboureur – the mayor
• Suzanne Dehelly as Mademoiselle Irène Cadenat
• Germaine Dermoz playing Madame Husson
• Fernand Blot as a municipal councilor
• André Dalibert portraying Célestin – another municipal councilor
• Marcelle Féry as a customer at the Pastouret grocery store
• Marcel Loche playing a municipal councilor
• Étienne Lorin as the orchestra conductor

Bibliography

• Goble, Alan. The Complete Index to Literary Sources in Film. Walter de Gruyter, 1999.
• Oscherwitz, Dayna & Higgins, MaryEllen. The A to Z of French Cinema. Scarecrow Press, 2009.