

César runs a bar along Marseilles' port, assisted by his 23-year-old son, Marius. Friends since childhood, Fanny and Marius love each other, but Marius has a secret wanderlust: every ship's whistle stirs a longing for foreign lands. When M. Panisse seeks Fanny's hand in marriage and when a departing clipper needs a deckhand, Marius and Fanny must decide who and what they love most. César, with his generous, wise spirit, tries to guide his son.
Acting
Raimu's César — one of cinema's greatest fathers.
Writing
Pagnol's dialogue sings with wit and ache.
Production
Marseilles port recreated with theatrical intimacy.

Director
Alexander Korda
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Part of Marcel Pagnol's 'Marseilles Trilogy' — Fanny (1932) and César (1936) complete the saga.
Raimu was a legendary stage actor; this was his screen breakthrough at 47. Pagnol refused to cast anyone else.