1966, Film: “Le grand restaurant”

The French comedy film "Le Grand Restaurant" ("What's Cooking in Paris" (USA) / "The Big Restaurant" (UK)) was released on 7 September 1966 in France. The film, directed by Jacques Besnard, was written by Jean Halain and Louis de Funès. Main stars are Louis de Funès as Monsieur Septime and Bernard Blier as "Le commissaire divisionnaire". The music was composed by Jean Marion.

Synopsis

Monsieur Septime (Louis de Funès) rules his Paris restaurant "Chez Septime" with an iron fist, he treats his employees like children. One day, Novales (Folco Lulli), a South American president, disappears while dining in his restaurant…

Bernard Blier as Le commissaire divisionnaire and Louis de Funès as Monsieur Septime

Olivier De Funès as Marmiton Louis and Louis de Funès as Monsieur Septime

Louis de Funès as Monsieur Septime

Main cast

• Louis de Funès as Monsieur Septime
• Bernard Blier as Le commissaire divisionnaire
• Noël Roquevert as Minister of the Interior
• Folco Lulli as President Novalès
• Maria-Rosa Rodriguez as Sophia
• Venantino Venantini as Enrique
• Paul Préboist as wine steward
• Raoul Delfosse as Marcel
• Max Montavon as violinist
• Mathias Caccia as pianist
• Pierre Tornade as maître d'hôtel
• Maurice Risch as waiter
• Jean Ozenne as second maître d'hôtel
• Jacques Dynam as waiter
• Guy Grosso as waiter
• Michel Modo as Petit-Roger
• Eugene Deckers as accomplice of Novalès
• Juan Ramirez as general

Louis de Funès as Monsieur Septime, Venantino Venantini as Henrique,
Maria-Rosa Rodriguez as Sophia and Folco Lulli as Le président Novalès

Michel Modo as Petit Roger and Louis de Funès as Monsieur Septime

Louis de Funès as Monsieur Septime and Folco Lulli as President Novalès

Controversial scene

At a certain moment some customers, a Frenchman, Italian and German, ask Septime how he makes his mashed potatoes. A shadow is projected on Louis de Funès and he takes the pose and voice of Hitler.

Louis de Funès as Monsieur Septime

Cars

• Citroën DS (Septime)
• Triumph TR4 (Sophia)
• Simca Vedette (Septime and Sophia)
• Chevrolet Bel Air (The conspirators)

Trailer "Le grand restaurant" (France, 1966)