''French Cancan'', 1955 - art by Rene Peron

A vintage French movie poster of ''French Cancan'', a French musical film directed by Jean Renoir and released in 1955. The film is set in the... more

by Movie World Posters

Title

''French Cancan'', 1955 - art by Rene Peron

Artist

Movie World Posters

Medium

Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Poster

Description

A vintage French movie poster of ''French Cancan'', a French musical film directed by Jean Renoir and released in 1955. The film is set in the vibrant and colorful world of the Moulin Rouge, a famous Parisian cabaret during the Belle Époque period in the late 19th century.

The story revolves around Henri Danglard, played by Jean Gabin, who is a charismatic and ambitious showman. Henri decides to revive the traditional French dance known as the can-can, which had fallen out of fashion, and reestablish it as the highlight of his newly reopened cabaret, the Moulin Rouge. He assembles a troupe of talented dancers and performers to help him achieve this goal.

The film explores the ups and downs of Henri's venture, including his romantic entanglements with the dancers in his troupe, particularly Nini (Françoise Arnoul) and Lola (María Félix). As the Moulin Rouge becomes a popular destination for Parisians and tourists alike, the can-can dance becomes a symbol of French culture and entertainment.

"French Cancan" is known for its lively musical numbers and colorful cinematography. It captures the spirit of the Belle Époque era, with its elaborate costumes and set designs. The film also pays homage to the art of the can-can dance, showcasing its energetic and exuberant performances.

Jean Renoir's direction and the performances of the cast, including Jean Gabin, contribute to the film's enduring appeal. "French Cancan" is considered a classic of French cinema and a celebration of the world of cabaret and dance. It offers a glimpse into the history of entertainment in Paris and the enduring popularity of the can-can dance.

About the artist:

René Péron (March 11, 1904, Paris – April 29, 1972, Le Landin, France) was a prolific poster designer and book illustrator from the late 1920s through the 1950s.

Péron designed more than 2,000 cinema posters between 1930 and 1960, including for major films such as "La Belle Marinière" (1932), "King Kong" (1933), "L'Eternel Retour" (1943), "Jour de fête" (1947), "French Cancan" (1954), "And God Created Woman" (1956) and "Spartacus" (1960).

He created posters that hardly go unnoticed, both in color palette and composition. Incredibly balanced scenes amaze these works of art for their bright colors, sharp contrasts, and bold titles. Peron's color selection explores the nuances of red, orange, pink, often creating differences between complementary colors. For example, blue stands out next to orange, yellow lights up, enhancing the overall picture.

Even the style of the titles is made to attract attention: he works on typefaces, often dynamic, other times geometric, or powerfully contoured. Peron's posters are a mixture of realistic faces, more abstract elements, and flashy texts. A superb balance of reality and poetry.

In the 1950s, he also designed numerous novel covers (especially for crime novels) and illustrations for club editions. After 1960, he devoted himself to illustrating children's books.

Search "Peron" to see more of his art.

Uploaded

February 3rd, 2022