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Cast
Fernandel
as François, Lucien Sénéchal
Nadia Gray
as La princesse Marida Ludibescu
Madeleine Barbulée
as Mme Roberte
Simone Paris
as L'actrice qui joue Mme Serval
Robert Pizani
as Le prince Alexandre
Suzanne Dehelly
as La malade
Roland Armontel
as Carlini
Paul Azaïs
as Le garagiste - mécanicien du car
Georges Baconnet
as Le président du tribunal
Barbara Brault
as Bit part
Movie Info & Details
Release Year1957
Runtime—
LanguageFrench
CertificationNR
GenresComedy
Votes11
DirectorJean Boyer
WritersJean-Jacques Rouff
TypeFeature Film
Rating6.8 out of 10
Cast10 credited
Also Known AsSénéchal the Magnificent
About Sénéchal the Magnificent
Sénéchal, an actor touring the provinces with the "Tournées Carlini" does not meet the success he thinks he deserves. One night in Dreux, he finds himself without his luggage and dressed up as a Foreign Legion officer, he is invited to a party thrown by a colonel. He creates a sensation there and does not leave the colonel's wife ... indifferent! Back in Paris, Sénéchal goes through a similar experience. This time around, wearing tuxedo and top hat, he gets mistaken for a diplomat and charms the guests of a wedding party. Arrested by the police, he chooses to do without an attorney at his trial and his brilliant eloquence has him acquitted. A question remains unanswered though : will all those people who give an ovation in real life ever go to see him on stage ?
Directed by Jean Boyer, Sénéchal the Magnificent leans on a strong ensemble — Fernandel, Nadia Gray, Madeleine Barbulée — 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 1957.
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