Crooks in Clover
Short description
Fernand Naudin is an older man who desires a peaceful life but finds himself thrust back into a dangerous world when a dying friend, a former crime boss known as the Mexican, leaves him his estate. Alongside this wealth, Fernand is tasked with the guardianship of the boss's daughter, Patricia. The situation is complicated by Patricia's rebellious nature and her boyfriend, as well as a group of violent former associates of the Mexican who refuse to accept the new succession and seek to claim the inheritance for themselves.
This crime comedy was directed by Georges Lautner and represents the first of six films he directed listed in his career history. The screenplay was written by Michel Audiard. The movie features a cast led by Lino Ventura in the role of Fernand Naudin, supported by Bernard Blier, Francis Blanche, Claude Rich, Pierre Bertin, and Jean Lefebvre. A joint production between France, Italy, and Germany, the film was released on November 27, 1963. It has been well received by audiences, maintaining a consistent rating of 7.7/10 on both IMDb, with over 7,000 votes, and on TMDB, with 577 votes.
What's left behind the scenes
- Gaumont did not believe in the future success of the film—for a comedy of that era, its theme was somewhat too bleak, and the cast lacked A-list stars. The decision to film was made solely to avoid breaching contractual obligations to director Georges Lautner and several actors. To minimize financial risks, the project was made an international co-production involving filmmakers from Italy and West Germany; this is why the cast included Venantino Venantini from Italy, as well as Sabine Sinen and Horst Frank representing West Germany.
- The role of Fernand was offered to Lino Ventura, and he accepted it, although he initially had some doubts arising from the comedic nature of the character he was to play.
- Paul Meurisse was invited for one of the roles in the film, but he declined due to health problems. He still appeared on screen in a scene referencing the films about the French secret service agent known by the pseudonym 'Monocle'.
- A key moment in the film is the scene where the aging gangsters drink moonshine in the kitchen. During their conversation, they reveal their hidden personality traits. Screenwriter Michel Audiard doubted the necessity of this episode, but director Georges Lautner insisted on its inclusion. He explained that the scene was a reference to his favorite John Huston crime drama, 'Largo Relish' (1948), in which old gangsters reminisce about the Prohibition era.
- The fight scene with Lino Ventura's character featured actor and stuntman Henri Cogan, who several years earlier, under similar circumstances, had accidentally broken Ventura's leg with a powerful blow. During the filming of this movie, Ventura punched Cogan in the face with all his might, saying, 'This is for my leg'.
- The lead role was intended for Jean Gabin, known to audiences particularly from Jacques Becker's crime drama 'Touchez pas au grisbi' (1954) and Jacques Barrault's crime comedy 'The Revenge of the Simpletons' (1961). However, at the time, Gabin had a strained relationship with screenwriter Michel Audiard due to the crime drama 'Melody from the Basement' (Henri Verneuil, 1963), as Gabin believed that Audiard (who also became one of the screenwriters for 'The Gangster Uncles') had given too much screen time to Alain Delon instead of him. Consequently, Gabin refused to film for Georges Lautner under the pretext that Lautner had assembled the crew at his own discretion (Gabin strongly disliked working with strangers on set). Instead, Gabin starred in Gilles Grangier's detective drama 'Maigret and the Big heist' (1963).
Auditions in India
Casting calls in USA
Castingi w Polsce
Кастинги в Україні
