Review of Tall Blond Man With One Black Shoe Collection, The

Introduction

Isn`t that always the way? I watch a movie back in the eighties, enjoy it thoroughly, and file it away in my memories as a rare example of Hollywood originality. Then ten or more years later, I find out that it`s a remake of an earlier French film. Typical! That 1985 comedy was The Man With One Red Shoe, a farce starring Tom Hanks that saw an unsuspecting musician wind up as a pawn in the internal manoeuvrings of the US intelligence service. It turns out that it`s pretty much a scene for scene remake of an earlier French film, The Tall Blond Man With One Black Shoe made in 1972. It turns out there was also a sequel made two years later, The Return Of The Tall Blond Man. Both of these films are presented on one disc, released by Arrow films. I must admit to a little anticipation, as the rule is that the original is always better than the remake.

The Tall Blond Man With One Black Shoe

Trouble is afoot at the French Intelligence Service when a drug smuggler implicates the head, Louis Toulouse when questioned by American authorities. Toulouse realises that this can only be the prelude to a power struggle, and with the nature of the service it won`t be a bloodless one. There is only one suspect, Bernard Milan, an ambitious man who covets the top job. Toulouse comes up with a plan that will get Milan to incriminate himself. He lets slip that an agent will be coming to Paris with information that will damage Milan. There is no such agent of course, and instead he gets his aide to pick a random face in the crowd at the airport. That man is concert violinist Francois Perrin, who just happens to be wearing odd coloured shoes. He`s a man with his own problems, he`s often the butt of practical jokes, and he`s having an affair with his best friend`s wife. That`s nothing compared to what is about to occur, as half the French Intelligence Service invade his life, turn it upside down, and shadow his every move, all in an effort to find out what secrets he possesses.

The Return Of The Tall Blond Man

Three months have passed, and while Francois Perrin is living the high life in Rio, Colonel Toulouse has to face the aftermath of the mayhem. An internal investigation has begun into the body count of the previous film, and when Captain Cambrai finds documentation belonging to the late Bernard Milan indicating that Perrin is one of Toulouse`s top agents, then Toulouse`s hands appear to be exceedingly bloody. Toulouse has to clear up the mess, including the witnesses, but when Perrin`s characteristic luck makes it difficult to eliminate him, he convinces Perrin to masquerade as an agent to throw Cambrai off the scent.

Video

Both films get a 1.85:1 anamorphic transfer. The image is pretty clear and sharp, with print damage barely a minor concern. The age is apparent in the excessive grain inherent in the print stock, and I did feel that the contrast was a problem in some scenes, with bright white areas suffering from bleed. It`s never less than watchable though.

Audio

The sound comes across well enough in the form of a DD 2.0 French track, which I presume is the original mono. The dialogue is clear, and there are no signs of hiss or pops or other similar indications of age. That is with the exception of one dropout at 35:19 in the first film. English subtitles are provided of course.

Features

Nothing to see here, move along.

Conclusion

Remember that rule I mentioned. Well it turns out to be more of a guideline. I found The Tall Blond Man With One Black Shoe to be less enjoyable than the remake. That is despite Pierre Richard being more of a natural comedian than his counterpart Tom Hanks. The run time may be a mere 90 minutes, but it seems longer, and while the farce that plays out whenever Francois is on screen is mirth inducing, what drags the film down is that the spy `thriller` is played completely straight, and it`s really only the characters of Toulouse and his right hand man Perrache who have an inkling that they are in a comedy. As such this film lacks the pace and energy of the Hollywood remake.

Having said that, seeing the comedy of errors unfold is entertaining, and while Perrin may be the unwitting pawn of the French Secret Service, watching his best friend Maurice go slowly mad as he keeps running into the aftermath of the intra-service cull proves to be the highlight of the film. What gives this film a degree of relevance is the commentary on privacy. In this modern age where we are all on camera from the moment we walk out of the door till the moment we stagger back in, there`s something of worth in the film`s railing against Big Brother. It is an argument that has been lost already however.

There is no such pretension in the sequel, and it is actually The Return Of The Tall Blond Man that proves to be more entertaining. The sequel is much more ridiculous, the slapstick is turned up, and the daft antics that ensue offer a greater laugh per minute rate. The slightly serious overtones are dispensed with, and all characters play it for laughs. The body count that so inflicted the first film is absent here, and the cartoon violence that sees characters survive and heal from dreadful mishaps, plays to a broader audience. Where the first film had Perrin assumed to be a secret agent, yet unaware of the carnage that surrounds him, the sequel takes the opposite view, and has the clumsy violinist actually take on the role of France`s premier agent, prompting more than one James Bond reference. The sequel isn`t as deep or as thoughtful as the original, in fact it is pretty childish and ephemeral, but the humour is more immediate, and the shorter running time ensures that it doesn`t outstay its welcome.

The Tall Blond Man is a whimsical diversion that will provide a little entertainment, and two films on one disc prove to be good value. Let`s face it; any comedy without a fart gag nowadays is rare. Take advantage of them when they come along.