Topper Takes a Trip (1938)

 Topper's wife is divorcing him and he must follow her to France in order to avoid it. Marion, the ghost who caused all his marital troubles in Topper, comes along with the intention of helping him, but as previously she causes a lot of trouble as well.

Sequel which is more than a tad repetitive. How many times in a row can one find people marveling at a man interacting with an invisible ghost funny? There is some humor in Cosmo's wife's daft utterances, but mostly the film feels creaky.

Rating: 35

Étoile sans lumière (1946)

 English title: Star Without Light

A silent film actress fears for her professional prospects with the advent of sound. When her lover hears the cleaning woman in their hotel sing, he has an idea that could save the actress's career.

This drama has a serious script problem in that the main character behaves in an absurd manner in the end. Aside from that, the film is curious because its plot's premise is the same as that of Singin' in the Rain. Also, there is an extravagent musical number featuring pirates which might be worth seeing. As for the rest of the movie, well, it's not unwatchable, but it's obvious that the whole enterprise is just meant as an exploitation of the fame and singing abilities of its star.

Rating: 36

La grande passion (1928)

English title: The Great Passion

A millionairess falls in love with a rugby player. Another player falls in love with her. While the first player is having an affair with the millionairess, he meets a younger woman.

Silent movie about the romantic troubles of sportsmen. It has some nice moments, amongst which a sequence at the Lido featuring an indoor pond with people swimming and diving. The skiing and luging sequences are well done and provide the climax of the film. The plot is not very interesting, and the ending is rather abrupt. Some rugby sequences are poorly done with the players feigning running in front of a back projection of a crowd.

Rating: 40