Merlusse

Merlusse is a 1935 French comedy drama film written and directed by Marcel Pagnol and starring Henri Poupon, André Pollack and Annie Toinon.^[1] It was shot at the Lycée Thiers in Marseille, which Pagnol had himself once attended. It should not be confused with the Merlusse fairy, a depiction of Melusine in the Vosges (France).

Merlusse
Directed by	Marcel Pagnol
Written by	Marcel Pagnol
Produced by	Marcel Pagnol
Starring	Henri Poupon André Pollack Annie Toinon
Cinematography	Albert Assouad
Edited by	Suzanne de Troeye
Music by	Vincent Scotto
Production company	Films Marcel Pagnol
Distributed by	Films Marcel Pagnol
Release date	6 December 1935 (1935-12-06)
Running time	72 minutes
Country	France
Language	French

Synopsis

A tough teacher charged with looking after the students left behind at a boarding school during the Christmas holidays rises to the challenge and comes to better understand the boys in his care.

Cast

• Henri Poupon as Blanchard dit Merlusse
• André Pollack as Le proviseur
• Annie Toinon as Nathalie
• Thommeray as Le censeur
• Jean Castan as Galubert
• Le Petit Jacques as Villepontoux
• d'Armans as Philippard
• Fernand Bruno as Catusse
• Robert Aviérinos as Lupin
• Robert Chaux as Godard
• Dernard as Delacre
• John Dubrou as Pic
• Jean Inglesakis as Molinard
• Le-Van-Kim as Macaque
• Rellys as L'appariteur
• André Robert as Le surveillant général
• Armando Rossi as Le concierge

Reception

Writing for The Spectator in 1936, Graham Greene gave the film a good review, describing it simply as "a slightly sentimental tale". Greene praises Poupon in his portrayal of Merlusse, and expresses admiration for Pagnol's "simpleness, [and] directness".^[2]

The film inspired Alexander Payne to make The Holdovers (2023), which has a similar plot.^[3]