THE ALLURE OF FRANC

Year Published: 1964

Format: 16mm

Description: Castle Films presents "The Allure of France" (0:07), a 1964 film promoting the many varieties of holiday excitement that can be had in France, from alpine adventures, sunny beaches of the French Riviera, to the oft-romanticized nightlife of Paris. The film opens with sweeping views of the snowy French Alps (0:17); glaciers at 0:33. At 0:43, three climbers trek on with walking sticks and mountaineering equipment. Mont Blanc is nearly 16,000 feet high. One climber holds onto a rope, helping the climber behind him (1:02), the third not far behind. The first successful ascent to the summit was made in 1786 by a native of Chamonix. From 1:10 are intermittent close-up shots and long shots showing the climbers ascending steep slopes amidst breathtaking alpine grandeur. A climber stops momentarily to admire the glorious mountain range below him (1:58). A steam train crosses a railway bridge, evergreen trees in the foreground (2:06). The white, overexposed faces of passengers are seen at 2:21. Apartments in Cannes feature large balconies full of flowers (2:23). The camera pans over a busy beach crowded with beach parasols (2:39). There are "overdressed" ladies in full dress coats and hats (2:56), and a "barely dressed" woman in a bikini (3:01). Camera cuts to an aerial shot of Monaco, arriving on the Prince’s Palace overlooking the Mediterranean Sea (3:04). Monaco is the smallest sovereign principality in Europe, just over one half of a square mile in total area. A megayacht sits in the harbor at 3:16. It is the vessel of Monaco’s prince. At 3:21 the camera pans over a harbor full of smaller, nonroyal yachts. A Red Ensign flaps in the wind (3:27). A French flag waves over another beach at 3:36. From 3:47, sunbathers lie and sleep in the sun, as the narrator stutters comically over the sight of bikini-clad women. At 3:56, a zoom-in shot of the Prince’s Palace. From 4:09, the narrator discusses Paris. The camera tilts up to reveal the Eiffel Tower, then an aerial shot of the Seine (4:13), and a triumphal arch—likely the Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile at the Place Charles de Gaulle (4:23). From 4:27, we see the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel from various angles with gardens and water fountains in the foreground. Built in 1806, it celebrates the French victory at the Battle of Austerlitz. Well-dressed patrons mingle at the Café de la Paix, located in the Place de l’Opéra, in the 9th Arrondissement (4:38). A woman enjoys her dessert (4:53), before fixing her lipstick using a handheld mirror (4:99). A Christian Dior fashion show from 5:02. Model after model in elegant dresses cinched in at the waist, delicate hats, and satin evening gloves. Paris is known for its beautiful gardens and parks. An artist paints flowers in a garden (5:27). A couple (5:36) and three ladies (5:40) sit on benches. Parisians walk home with their baguettes (5:43). A kissing couple passes by at 5:54, and we get a quick glimpse of the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, set on the Île de la Cité. From 6:01 diners enjoy French cuisine at the historic restaurant, La Tour d’Argent, in operation since 1542. Sitting on the Quai de la Tournelle, the Seine and the Notre-Dame can be seen behind the diners. A clearer shot of the Seine and the Notre-Dame at 6:17. Neon lights flash at the Moulin Rouge on the Boulevard de Clichy (6:23). Can-can dancers twirl and kick up their lavish skirts (6:32). A sign reads "Maison des Oubliettes" (6:49). A woman in a lace-up black corset performs on stage (7:05). Here, French singers specialize in 12th century songs in the tradition of ancient troubadours. Audience applauds. At 7:17, another woman performs with a lorgnette, then more applause. At 7:26 the camera tilts down to reveal the Folies Bergère cabaret theater. On stage is a grand spectacle with a great cast of performers, some elevated by onstage lifts (7:34). A multi-level stage piece slowly rotates, displaying posing dancers and extravagant candelabra. Paris is a sentimental city about which men have written more poems, more songs, more everything, than any other city in the world. The film ends with one last shot of the Tour Eiffel at 8:01.

Complete Record:

Transcription

[Music] [Applause] so france offers every variety of holiday excitement for fun in the snow it's the french alps one of nature's most awe-inspiring sights here in the land of perpetual ice and snow glaciers still cover great surfaces of the earth as they did in the ice age long ago monarch of mountains mount blanc is the tallest of the alpine peaks nearly 16 000 feet high its white majesty offers both beauty and danger to those who come to brave its sides the first successful ascent to the summit was made in 1786 by a native of chamonix but knowing that someone else has made the grade may not make it any easier when you try it the mountain climber moves cautiously ahead only the skillful and daring can overcome the challenge presented by the face of nature perhaps much of the time he wishes that he had an escalator in his knapsack sometimes along the plateaus of the mountains you get a rest but the chances are it won't last too long at last for those who do not turn back there's the singular satisfaction of looking down upon peaks that are only 12 000 feet high from the mountain region of france you can go almost anywhere in this land of infinite variety for fun in the sun it's the riviera in can even the apartments have that distinctively sunny look [Music] the all year round pleasantly warm climate makes this a perennial paradise for those who seek more sun than snow in their diet [Music] it comes as you wish over dressed [Music] or barely dressed monaco on the riviera is the smallest sovereign principality in europe just over one half of a square mile in total area this little vessel varies around monaco's first citizen the prince of course for the less well-off citizens of this mediterranean playland there are slightly smaller yachts [Music] and for a change of pace when you're tired of yachting there's the beach and uh uh [Music] the most imposing structure in monaco is the prince's palace it dominates this tiny principality [Music] the eiffel tower dominates paris the city of excitement and fun the triumphal arc of the carousel built in 1806 celebrates the battle of austerlitz perhaps no institution is so much a part of daily parisian life as the sidewalk cafe the cafe de la pay located in the city's most fashionable area it is commonly said that if you sit here long enough you will meet everyone you know in paris but did we say fashion move madame what woman the world over wouldn't give her eye teeth to possess a parisian wardrobe [Music] only 4 500 francs 900 american paris is known for its beautiful gardens and parks [Music] always a convenient spot for those in love or for those who simply want to rest for the visitor to the city an unusual site is the many ways the french manage to get their bread home typically french and as old as notre dame itself high on anyone's list of parisian pleasures is french cuisine this famous restaurant has only been in the eating business since 1542. it's called the tour de jong which means tower of silver no wonder lunch begins at nine dollars a helping [Music] at night paris becomes a playland catering to any mood one of the most famous night spots is the moulin rouge on the quieter side there is the maison oubliette or caves of the forgotten ones here french singers specialize in 12th century songs in the best tradition of the ancient troubadours [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] paris a sentimental city about which men have written more poems more songs more everything than any other city in the world you

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