by Hal Erickson
synopsis
Originally a character in a Gaston Leroux novel, Cheri-Bibi was transformed into a popular French comic-strip character in the 1930s. The character was also featured in two films, the second of which was in 1955. Jean Richard plays the title character, a born loser who undergoes plastic surgery in order to resemble his rival for the hand of Lea Padovini. Once he emerges from the bandages, Cheri-Bibi is plunged into a series of melodramatic misadventures. Though never "camp" in its tone, Cheri-Bibi is engagingly tongue-in-cheek, having fun with its source material rather than poking fun at it.
characteristics
- Romantic
- Romance
- Rival
- Scam
- Seduction
- Swindle
- Seductress
- Plastic-surgery
- Plastic-surgeon
- Impersonation
- Con/scam
- Con-game
- Loser
- Love
- Mistaken-identity
