Fanny

Leslie Caron plays Fanny, the impish daughter of Honorine (Georgette Anys), who sells fish on the waterfront. Marius (Horst Bucholtz) and his father Cesare (Charles Boyer) own the bar overlooking the bay.

When Fanny proclaims her love for Marius, they plan to marry, when Marius is tempted away through his desire to become a sailor. He leaves Fanny and his unborn child to an uncertain fate.

A relief comes in the form of wealthy and kindly Panisse (Maurice Chevalier) who offers to marry Fanny and raise the child as his own.

A charming, hypnotic tale that boasts stellar performances. Boyer was nominated for Best Actor here, but why was Caron not nominated? She gives probably one of the finest performances of her career here.

Directed by Joshua Logan (SOUTH PACIFIC), FANNY is one very entertaining movie.


One of My Favorite Movies   November 9, 2003
N. D. Harmon (Baltimore USA)
24 out of 24 found this review helpful

"Fanny" was made almost ten years before I was born, but it is one of my favorite romances. It is a wonderful story about love found, love lost and love found again. You will feel the characters' emotions as though you were standing there. It takes place in Marseilles a waterfront community on the coast of France. There is Marius who is in love with Fanny, but dreams of going to sea. Fanny is also in love with Marius, but in order to help him live his dream she sacrifices her own. In a twist of fate Fanny marries another man. There is also Cesar, Marius' father, Panisse, Fanny's husband, and Cesario, Fanny and Marius' son. I have watched this film too many times to count.


DVD PLEASE!!!   September 16, 2004
Atticus Finch, Brooklyn (Brooklyn, NY)
19 out of 19 found this review helpful

This is one of the finest romance films I can think of. The cast carries it off splendidly and the film is gloriously photographed. There are so many touching moments in this film that to go into detail about it would ruin someone's first experience of it. Leslie Caron was never more expressive. She plays innocent, caring, noble, sad, joyful, and intelligent. Her acting talents are on full display here. She deserved an Oscar nomination for this performance.
The picture received a nomination and Joshua Logan has a better time out directing this one than with "South Pacific," even though he had the Pagnol original to rely upon. So many scenes resonate with truth and emotion in this film. I recommend it highly. And, again, Warners, where is the DVD????


'FANNY' FINALLY ON DVD, THANKS TO 'IMAGE' !!   April 27, 2008
B. BURNETT (South Africa)
19 out of 20 found this review helpful

Finally, this superb movie is available on DVD! It's incomprehensible that Warners have ignored it for years, and thankfully it has now been picked up by Image, releasing June 2008. I see from their site it has a 5.1 soundtrack, so the widescreen transfer should be great, doing justice to the wonderful cinematography. There are many reviews for 'Fanny' under Amazon's separate listing, all confirming the charm and brilliance of this unforgettable movie. A huge thank you to Image for releasing this gem.


I can't believe Warner Bros. let this one get away   May 10, 2008
calvinnme (Fredericksburg, Va)
16 out of 17 found this review helpful

This is one of the sweetest movies I've ever seen, and it is a shame that Warner Bros. didn't bother to renew their rights to it. Image Entertainment rides to the rescue, though, with a new DVD release of this classic.

When I say the movie is sweet, it manages to do so without being cheesy. Leslie Caron is in the title role as a young woman who finds herself pregnant after consummating her relationship with Marius, a young man who has a lust to travel and hates being tied down. The next day he leaves for a long sea journey. When Fanny learns of her condition, she accepts a proposal from the elderly Panisse (Maurice Chevalier) and he gives all of his love and acceptance to both her and her child. Marius returns after the child is born, never having known until he returns that he is a father. He wants Fanny back, and he and Panisse square off in a showdown over both Fanny and her child. However, Fanny has something to say about this too. It's a great film about love, responsibility, selfishness, and the root of true happiness.

It is my favorite Leslie Caron movie and a great role for Chevalier in his later years. After having just recently seen the Ernst Lubitsch musicals Chevalier starred in thirty years before, I have to say he may have grayed but he never lost that essential indescribable charm he had in his youth.