DIARY OF A CHAMBERMAID is a sexy little comedy directed by Jean Renoir, better known for “important” flicks like GRAND ILLUSION and RULES OF THE GAME (featured in a previous Romancefest).
Paulette Goddard stars as a French chambermaid who has a spotty employment record, having moved from job to job and learned a thing or two about the whole “upstairs/downstairs” racket. As the movie opens, she’s gotten to the point where she’s ready to be done with all the servitude and wants to snag a rich man – any rich man – to live out the rest of her days as the head of her own household.
The rest of the film concerns a series of romantic misadventures as Goddard arrives at her new house of employment and attempts at first to romance an eccentric neighbor (Burgess Meredith) and then the son of her new employers (Hurd Hatfield). There’s also a mysterious, cranky valet on hand who develops designs on Goddard (Frances Lederer).
I was surprised as the credits unrolled to see that Burgess Meredith not only wrote the screenplay for this film but also produced it! Upon further investigation I’ve learned that he was married to Paulette Goddard, at the time. Still, it’s a surprise to think the guy who went on to immortalize the Penguin and Mickey used to write and produce for Renoir!
It was interesting to see lighter fare from Renoir, though even his “serious” movies were funny enough. Unfortunately, this flick might be a little too light – despite a good central performance from Goddard, who is equally crafty and clueless, the plot quickly runs out of steam.
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