I was already a francophile by the time I was eight (that’s about when I became aware that I got excited about anything French), but I don’t think there’s a French bone in my body. The only reason I’ve been able to come up with for my precocious francophilia is the now obscure animated feature film, Gay Purr-ee (1962). It came on TV only once a year (I was born before cable) and watching it was a family ritual and big event. I was already looking forward to it by the time I was five, so I must have started watching it early in my formative years…
It’s the romantic story of a couple of country cats, Jaune Tom and Mewsette. Jaune Tom loves Mewsette, but she hungers for something more exciting than simple country life and ends up in Paris, where she encounters all kinds of dangers and difficulties. Of course Jaune Tom saves her and they end up living happily ever after back in the country.
I was utterly impressionable and defenseless and the movie seduced me on every level. I caught Mewsette’s longing for Paris, and a francophile was born. I’m sure it didn’t hurt that Mewsette’s silken, dainty voice was that of Judy Garland, or that Jaune Tom’s was done by smooth-as-molasses Robert Goulet. The music is great, there are plenty of abstract backdrops that are über kitsch, and the Paris scenes look just like all those watercolors that every other American owned in the 50s (when most Americans were francophiles).
Long before VCRs came along, they stopped showing it on TV, so I didn’t see Gay Purr-ee again till almost 30 years later, when it was finally released on video. I watched it again and realized why it had disappeared into obscurity. The movie was simply too scandalous to be considered appropriate entertainment for children…
You see, some slick city cat (Meowrice) found Mewsette wandering around Paris and planned to ship her off as a mail-order bride to some cat in America. So he escorted her to the home of a friend, a lady cat who happened to be the madam of a cat brothel (!). This madam cat undertook Mewsette’s “finishing” (she needed to smooth those rough bumpkin edges) and Mewsette was pampered in the comfort of the kitty brothel (innocently ignorant) till the time when she would be sent away.
Such a shame Americans are so uptight! I might not be who I am if I’d been born just a few years later… Probably wouldn’t have a fleur-de-lys tattoo on my foot (souvenir of New Orleans). Wouldn’t have done two and a half degrees in French. Wouldn’t be living in Paris. Wouldn’t be nearly so fond of Williams-Sonoma. Freaky.
The other day I read a great post by Polly-Vous Français on how Morticia Addams probably singlehandedly created a generation of francophiles. Polly’s post inspired this one, in fact. But by the time I was watching The Addams Family, I was already a fully formed francophile. And, of course, my favorite part of the show was when Morticia would speak French and drive Gomez wild with passion…
I’d be very interested to know, dear reader, what made you a francophile.
In the meantime, you can get Gay Purr-ee at Amazon (.com and .fr). Buy it! You won’t regret it. And show it to your kids…
Well, Gay Purr-ee is on the Netfl*x list, so I’ll see if my four year old catches on to the risque elements. “How I became a francophile” would be a full length essay since my conversion was slow, accidental, and I wasn’t aware it was even happening until too late. But if pressed, I think the seed was probably planted by the Peter Sellers Pink Panther films.
Ahhhh yes, I adored those too, already being a hardened francophile by the time I saw them. Du yu have a rhimm? Still cracks me up whenever I think about it. And the minnkey! Let me know what you all think of Mewsette and Co!
I never saw Gay Purr-ee. But I am in fact writing an essay on what made me a francophile. Stay tuned. Anyway, my cartoon inspration was most definitely Pepe le Pieuw. Ah, romance!
I loved Pepe too! Remember those jelly glasses with cartoon characters on them? I had a Pepe glass that I kept till it was so faded he’d become a ghost. I’m looking forward to your essay and to meeting you at the blogger peekneek.
A bit belated on the follow-up, but here it is. Plopped the four year old down on the couch next to me and pushed the play button. My wife commented that the artwork was fabulous and I have to agree. It’s nice to see work like that. Not that I have anything against the 3d hyper-caricature-realism of modern “cartoons”. The whole business with the Madame was so indirect that I think its discreet enough for a modern audience. It was certainly the quietest cat house I’ve ever seen in a film. After Antoine Doinelle it’s positively tame.
I thought it was pretty understated too, but I can’t understand why else the movie would be so obscure. Sure, it’s not a masterpiece, but I think it has some masterpiece moments and significant artistic, cultural, and educational value. Certainly superior to most of the dreck (or is that Shrek?) they serve up to kids these days.
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My eyes almost teared up while reading this. There are others out there like me. My friends always tease me about it! I am a soon-to-be tattooed girl here (of the fleur-de lys bien sur). When I finish schooling I am determined to live in Montreal or France itself. The French just have a way that seems to make life to free and careless, yet beautiful and perfect. I entirely respect that actors and musicians are given a respectable private life without mobs of people with cameras and reporters. Delicate foods and ancient landmarks that have stood the test of time. The top tourist destination of the world… It was great to read your blog. :D :D :D Try not to spend EVERYTHING on frenchie things, like me heheh!
Oh, yeah, Susie, there are lots of us…
You should join Francophilia! (www.francophilia.com) It ought to tide you over till you get here.
Send a link to your tattoo when you get it (if you put a pic online)!
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