''Tit-Coq'' (lit. "Little Rooster") is a Canadian film, directed by

René Delacroix René Delacroix (August 27, 1900 – June 11, 1976) was a French film director and screenwriter. He was most noted for a mid-career period from 1949 to 1954 when he was based in Montreal, during which he directed or co-directed several of the most i ...

and

Gratien Gélinas Gratien Gélinas, (December 8, 1909 – March 16, 1999) was a Canadian writer, playwright, actor, director, producer and administrator who is considered one of the founders of modern Canadian theatre and film. His major works include ''Tit ...

, and released in 1952.

Plot

''Tit-Coq'' is a tale of love and the importance of family. It tells the story of Arthur Saint-Jean, a shy, awkward French-Canadian soldier with an irreverent sense of humour and a volatile temper, which is how he earned the nickname 'Tit-Coq'. He is a lonely, unhappy man until he falls in love with Marie-Ange, the sister of his friend Jean-Paul. When he is sent overseas to fight during

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

, Marie-Ange promises to wait for him, but she marries another man. When Tit-Coq returns to Montreal, he must accept the fact that he is again alone.

Cast

Production

Gratien Gélinas wrote the

revue A revue is a type of multi-act popular theatre, theatrical entertainment that combines music, dance, and sketch comedy, sketches. The revue has its roots in 19th century popular entertainment and melodrama but grew into a substantial cultural pre ...

sketch ''Le retour du conscrit'' in 1946. Film producer Paul L'Anglais suggested to Gélinas that he turn it into a screenplay. Gélinas did so in 1947, but he was unable to obtain financing for the film. He turned the screenplay into a play and it was performed over 500 times from 1947 to 1950. This popularity convinced L'Anglais and Joseph-Alexandre DeSève that the play could be adapted into a film.

Release

300,000 people watched the film in Quebec between February and April 1953. A restored print of the film was screened at the 2000 Toronto International Film Festival, before going into a limited run at

repertory theatre A repertory theatre, also called repertory, rep, true rep or stock, which are also called producing theatres, is a theatre in which a resident company presents works from a specified repertoire, usually in alternation or rotation. United Kingdom ...

s."Superb acting lends old tale staying power". ''

The Globe and Mail ''The Globe and Mail'' is a Newspapers in Canada, Canadian newspaper printed in five cities in Western Canada, western and central Canada. With a weekly readership of more than 6 million in 2024, it is Canada's most widely read newspaper on week ...

'', November 24, 2000.

Reception

The film won the 1953

Canadian Film Award The Canadian Film Awards were the leading Canadian cinema awards from 1949 until 1978. These honours were conducted annually, except in 1974 when a number of Quebec directors withdrew their participation and prompted a cancellation. In the 1970s ...

for Film of the Year at the

5th Canadian Film Awards The 5th Canadian Film Awards were presented on April 30, 1953 to honour achievements in Canadian film.Maria Topalovich, ''And the Genie Goes To...: Celebrating 50 Years of the Canadian Film Awards''. Stoddart Publishing, 2000. . pp. 21-23. Sixty ...

."On the Screen". ''

'', May 1, 1953. Gélinas was so moved by the victory that he began to cry during his acceptance speech, and presenter

Dorothy Lamour Dorothy Lamour (born Mary Leta Dorothy Slaton; December 10, 1914 – September 22, 1996) was an American actress and singer. She is best remembered for having appeared in the ''Road to...'' movies, a series of successful comedies starring Bing C ...

pulled the handkerchief out of his suit pocket and began to dab at his eyes as he spoke.

References

Works cited

Books

Web

External links

* 1952 films Canadian drama films Quebec films Best Picture Genie and Canadian Screen Award winners Canadian World War II films Canada in World War II 1952 drama films Canadian black-and-white films 1950s French-language films French-language Canadian films 1950s Canadian films Films directed by René Delacroix French-language drama films {{1950s-Canada-film-stub