Coquecigrole was adapted from a novel by Alfred Marchard. Max Dearly stars as a washed-up stage actor who unofficially adopts a young orphan girl nicknamed Coquecigrole (Daniele Darrieux, in her second film appearance). Working "between engagements" as a waiter, the old actor becomes friendly with Tulipe (Raymond Galle), a young dishwasher with theatrical ambitions. Dearly raises enough funds to stage a revue, starring Coquecigrole and Tulipe, who of course fall in love with each other. Things take a dark turn when the girl's natural father appears out of nowhere to claim his parental rights. Poor Coquecigrole is snubbed by her "real" family, forcing her father to realize that she'd be better off with her old friends. Things end on a triumphant note when the reunited Coquecigrole and Tulipe are married, with their old mentor beaming happily from the sidelines. That is, things should end here: instead, the producers insist upon dragging in a comic coda, wherein Max Dearly is seen playing nursemaid to the couple's troublesome baby.
by Hal Erickson
synopsis
