Marcel Pagnol directed only one of his Fanny Trilogy, as the films Marius, Fanny, and César are affectionately known, but he is the true auteur of all three films about the inhabitants of the old port of Marseilles. Marius establishes the characters of César (Raimu), philosopher-at-large and proprietor of a quayside bar; his son Marius (Pierre Fresnay), whose dreams of a life at sea blind him and finally bind him to the love of Fanny, the fish-monger (Orane Demazis); and Panisse (Charpin), a kindly widower who quotes poetry from face-cream pots and waits in the wings for Fanny's hand. Marius and Panisse's wishes are granted but it's no fairy tale. (JB)