The Big Chief (French: Le grand chef, Italian: Noi gangsters) is a 1959 French-Italian comedy film directed by Henri Verneuil and starring Fernandel, Gino Cervi and Florence Blot.[1] [2] It is based on the short story The Ransom of Red Chief by O. Henry. It was shot at the Boulogne Studios in Parisl The film's sets were designed by the art director Robert Clavel. It is also known by the alternative title Gangster Boss. The two stars were known for their appearances together in the Don Camillo series of films. The story had previously been adapted for the 1952 American film O. Henry's Full House.

The Big Chief
Directed byHenri Verneuil
Written byJean Manse
Henri Troyat
Henri Verneuil
Based onThe Ransom of Red Chief by O. Henry
Produced byJoseph Bercholz
Henry Deutschmeister
StarringFernandel
Gino Cervi
Florence Blot
CinematographyRoger Hubert
Edited byBorys Lewin
Music byGérard Calvi
Production
companies
Franco London Films
Les Films Gibé
Zebra Films
Distributed byGaumont Distribution
Release date
  • 20 March 1959 (1959-03-20)
Running time
92 minutes
CountriesFrance
Italy
LanguageFrench

Synopsis

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Two garage attendants kidnap the son of a millionaire, decoying him by dressing up as Native Americans. However he soon proves to be such a handful that they can't wait for his father to take him off their hands.

Cast

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References

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  1. ^ Parish p.177
  2. ^ Rège p.1000

Bibliography

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  • Bessy, Maurice & Chirat, Raymond. Histoire du cinéma français: 1956-1960. Pygmalion, 1986.
  • Parish, James Robert. Film Actors Guide: Western Europe. Scarecrow Press, 1977.
  • Rège, Philippe. Encyclopedia of French Film Directors, Volume 1. Scarecrow Press, 2009.
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