Marcel Pagnol's celebrated films-Marius, Fanny and César, collectively known as The FannyTrilogy-comprise a richly human portrait of the inhabitants of the old port ofMarseilles. As early as 1931, Pagnol proved that drama made up of closelyobserved characters and settings of a provincial culture could capture theimaginations of an international filmgoing audience; his films were a hugesuccess. French film historian Georges Sadoul writes, "Above all aplaywright and theatrical producer...Pagnol brought to the French cinema in thethirties a robust realism, not far from populism, that contributed to the stylein which Renoir's Toni (which Pagnol produced) is included. He had a special giftwith actors, who most often came from the caf'conc' of Marseilles... AlthoughMarius was directed by Alexander Korda and Fanny by Marc Allégret, MarcelPagnol himself is the true auteur of all three films." Marius establishes the characters who will develop over twenty years'time before the trilogy is completed. César (portrayed by Raimu), is theproprietor of the quayside Bar de la Marine. His son Marius (Pierre Fresnay) istorn between his love for the sea and his passion for Fanny (Orane Demazis), thelovely daughter of a fishmonger. Panisse (Charpin) is a warmhearted sailmaker andcontemporary of César.