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Cast
Michel Simon
as Benoit, chief guard
Ded Rysel
as Auguste Tuboeuf, inmate farmer
Paulette Dubost
as Justine Benoit
Lisette Lebon
as Rosette Benoit
Michel Roux
as André Chauvin
Christian Alers
as Sub-prefect
Georges Baconnet
as Ferdinand Bouchonnet
Francis Boyer
as Cast
Henri Coutet
as Gustave
Robert Dalban
as Vauclin, inmate gangster
Movie Info & Details
Release Year1956
Runtime1h 35m
LanguageFrench
CertificationNR
GenresComedy
Votes1
DirectorAndré Berthomieu
WritersAndré Berthomieu, Pierre François, Paul Vandenberghe
TypeFeature Film
Rating8.0 out of 10
Cast10 credited
Also Known AsLa joyeuse prison
About La joyeuse prison
Benoit, the head guard of Clouville Prison, prefers to be liked than feared. This basic principle transforms the jail-house into a joyful prison, where all the inmates live amicably together. Among them, various colorful characters : a farmer, a poacher, a distiller, a forger, two pickpockets, a safe-cracker, a gangster and... a good-looking guy who pleases Rosette, Benoit's daughter, well. But too much leniency takes its toll : after Vauclin, the gangster, manages to escape and a complaint is filed against "the deplorable disorder reigning in the joyful prison", Benoit is given early retirement. He will know how to take advantage of his new status live a joyful life with his wife, his daughter and André, his son in law, in fact the nice-looking young prisoner who, in the meantime, has been cleared of all charges.
Directed by André Berthomieu, La joyeuse prison leans on a strong ensemble — Michel Simon, Ded Rysel, Paulette Dubost — 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 1956.
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