The Door Slams

Between a whimsical wife, two insolent girls, a son who is engaged in strange chemical experiments and a mother-in-law who is being courted by a rich English lord, André Costais, an intractable industrialist, is struggling to impose his authority on his family.

Directed by Michel Fermaud, Jacques Poitrenaud, The Door Slams leans on a strong ensemble — Dany Saval, Françoise Dorléac, Maurice Sarfati — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about comedy titles of 1960.