Merlusse

Merlusse is a 1935 French comedy drama film written and directed by Marcel Pagnol and starring Henri Poupon, André Pollack and Annie Toinon. It was shot at the Lycée Thiers in Marseille, which Pagnol had himself once attended. It should not be confused with the Merlusse fairy, a depiction of Melusine in the Vosges (France).

Synopsis
A tough teacher charged with looking after the students left behind at a boarding school during the Christmas holidays rises to the challenge and comes to better understand the boys in his care.

Cast

 * Henri Poupon as Blanchard dit Merlusse
 * André Pollack as Le proviseur
 * Annie Toinon as Nathalie
 * Thommeray as Le censeur
 * Jean Castan as Galubert
 * Le Petit Jacques as Villepontoux
 * d'Armans as Philippard
 * Fernand Bruno as Catusse
 * Robert Aviérinos as Lupin
 * Robert Chaux as Godard
 * Dernard as Delacre
 * John Dubrou as Pic
 * Jean Inglesakis as Molinard
 * Le-Van-Kim as Macaque
 * Rellys as L'appariteur
 * André Robert as Le surveillant général
 * Armando Rossi as Le concierge

Reception
Writing for The Spectator in 1936, Graham Greene gave the film a good review, describing it simply as "a slightly sentimental tale". Greene praises Poupon in his portrayal of Merlusse, and expresses admiration for Pagnol's "simpleness, [and] directness".

The film inspired Alexander Payne to make The Holdovers (2023), which has a similar plot.