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Caroline Chérie

Caroline Chérie

Movie · 1951 · 3 people

Richard Pottier directed Caroline Chérie, a black-and-white French historical comedy from 1951. Known in English-speaking countries as Darling Caroline, it runs about 140 minutes; its German title is Im Anfang war nur Liebe. Martine Carol plays the lead, with Jacques Dacqmine, Marie Déa and Jacques Dufilho in support. The film's success established Carol as a leading star of French cinema in the early 1950s, and some daring nude scenes made her a national sex symbol.

The story is drawn from a historical novel that Jacques Laurent wrote under the pen name Cécil Saint-Laurent, and it follows the loves of the title heroine, Caroline. Jean Anouilh wrote the screenplay. The cast also includes Pierre Cressoy, Alexandre Mihalesco, Alfred Adam, Catherine Fonteney, Germaine Kerjean and Georges Géret. Filming took place at the Billancourt Studios in Paris, with sets designed by art director Jacques Krauss.

The success led to two sequels, A Caprice of Darling Caroline (1953) and Caroline and the Rebels (1955). Carol reprised her role in the first, while the second starred Brigitte Bardot as a different character. The story was filmed again in 1968 as Darling Caroline.

DirectorRichard Pottier

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Cast

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Jacques Dufilho Jacques Dufilho Actor · died at 91 Jacques Varennes Jacques Varennes Actor · died at 63 Marie Déa Marie Déa Actor · died at 79

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Through different eyes

Cinephile Looks at script, editing and directing choices; keeps a distance from formula films.

With a screenplay by a writer of Jean Anouilh's stature, Caroline Chérie is a historical comedy that deserves attention. Working at the Billancourt Studios amid Jacques Krauss's sets, Richard Pottier builds a lavish period world and plants Martine Carol firmly at its centre. The film played a big part in making Carol one of French cinema's leading stars of the early 1950s. Yet a running time of about 140 minutes is too long for a story built on one romantic adventure after another; the rhythm sags as it goes on, and a sense of repetition creeps in. Still an interesting document for anyone curious about star cinema and the history of French costume comedy.

Family Viewer Asks whether the whole household can watch it; cares about humour and heart.

Caroline Chérie is an old black-and-white French comedy, but it is not one for family viewing. It has daring nude scenes, and the story is built around a woman's love affairs. At around 140 minutes, children would run out of patience anyway. Adults who love old films can enjoy it among themselves. For an evening with the kids, choose a different film.

Yeşilçam Nostalgic A viewer raised on the classics, looking for warm storytelling and strong acting.

Caroline Chérie has the flavour of the star vehicles of black-and-white European cinema. Jean Anouilh's screenplay carries the elegance of French letters, and Martine Carol's radiance explains why the film was so loved. That its success led to two sequels and a 1968 remake shows how fond audiences were of this heroine. For an eye that looks for a moral centre, though, Caroline's string of romances feels a little slight; the film speaks to the eye more than to the heart. The heartfelt warmth of our own classics is hard to find here.

These are not reader reviews: they are short editorial takes written from different viewer perspectives with AI assistance. Reader reviews are below.

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