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The History of French Cinema: 1939

5/1 -

A general strike is held against the competition of state cinemas and non-commercial cinemas, and against high taxation. [ADD]

Jan -

Anti-fascist writer Andre Malraux returns from Spain at the end of the civil war there with footage of a film entitled L’Espoir, based on his novel of the same name.   Malraux decided to abandon shooting and return to France when Barcelona fell to the Nationalists.   The film is not released until 1946. [ADD]

1/2 -

The premiere of Trois de Saint-Cyr, a French favourite directed by Jean-Paul Paulin, takes place in Paris. [ADD]

6/2 -

Marcel Carne, working in collaboration with Jacques Prevert, starts shooting Le Jour se leve at Billancourt. [ADD]

27/2 -

Jacques Feyder travels to Vercors for location shooting for La Loi du nord, a tale of Canadian trappers. [ADD]

Feb -

Municipal taxes are lowered by approximately 25% in exchange for exhibitors accepting box office controls. [ADD]

17/3 -

In response to calls for change from within the film industry, the French Government drafts new laws dealing with censorship and ownership of films, working conditions in the industry, import and distribution of foreign films, and the activities of clubs. [ADD]

22/3 -

Claude Autant-Lara and Maurice Lehmann start shooting Fric-frac in the Éclair studios.   Arletty and Michel Simon reprise their stage roles for the film. [ADD]

3/4 -

Marcel L’Herbier’s Entente cordiale, based on Andre Maurois’ book about the life of Edward VII, is released. [ADD] 

9/6 -

Marcel Carne’s atmospheric Le Jour se leve is released.   Written by Jacques Prevert from a synopsis by Jacques Viot, the film stars Jean Gabin as a worker who kills the showman lover (Jules Berry) of a woman (Arletty) with whom he is involved, and then barricades himself in his room. [ADD]

8/7 -

Jean Renoir’s La regle du jeu (The Rules of the Game) premieres at the Colisee.   Its reception is hostile. [ADD]

20/6 -

A special gala evening is organised by Laure Albin-Guillot from the National Cinema Archives and Henri Langlois from the Cinémathèque Française in honour of Charlie Chaplin’s 50^th birthday. [ADD]

22/7 -

Jean Renoir withdraws his new film La Regle du jeu (The Rules of the Game) for re-editing following its poor reception upon initial release. [ADD]

1/8 -

Preparations begin for the first International Film Festival at Cannes, which is scheduled to take place in September. [ADD]

24/8 -

Abel Gance’s Louise is released.   Based on Charpentier’s opera, it stars Grace Moore, Georges Thill, Andre Pernet and Robert Le Vigan. [ADD]

28/2 -

Titles such as Le Deserteur prompt the passing of a new censorship law to control all printed matter, written work, radio transmissions and film projections. [ADD]

1/9 -

The inaugural Cannes Film Festival, which is planned to run for three weeks is postponed after just one evening because of the impending war.   It will be seven years before the next festival takes place. [ADD]

3/9 -

Film production is disrupted by the mobilisation of troops and reserves as war is declared in Europe.  Approximately 20 films in the middle of production are effected. [ADD]

29/12-

The Army’s Cinematographic Service holds film screenings for soldiers in the field. [ADD]

Other Key Films of 1939

Ils etaient neuf celibataires (Sacha Guitry) [ADD]

Sans Lendemain (Max Ophuls) [ADD]

The History of Cinema: 1939