The 50th Anniversary of “The Legend of Frenchie King”

 

Today marks the 50^th Anniversary of the premier of “The Legend of Frenchie King”. Directed by Christian-Jacque andGuy Casaril starring Brigit Bardot, Claudia Cardinale and Michael J. Pollard. The film tells the story takes place in 1894 Bougival Junction, New Mexico the French settled town is led by Marie Sarrazin (Cardinale). Then a new family arrives, calling themselves the Millers, but in fact they are the daughters of the hanged outlaw Frenchie King. His eldest daughter Louise (Bardot) seeks to keep her father's name and legend alive by donning men's clothing and continuing his criminal ways. Louise and Maria fight but when they are both jailed by the overwhelmed sheriff Jefferds (Pollard) they team up to take revenge on the town's men.

 

 

Les pétroleuses – French title

Le pistolere – Italian title

Las petroleras – Spanish title

The Legend of Frenchie King – U.K. title

Las petroleras – Argentina title

Petroleum Girls – Australian title

De opstooksters – Belgium title

As Petroleiras – Brazilian title

Opstookster – Dutch title

Öljyä, pimuja ja roistoja – Finnish title

Teksasin äkäpussit – Finnish title

Petroleummiezen – German title

Petroleum-Miezen – German title

Dyo listarhines saronoun to West – Greek title

Oi pyrpolitries – Greek title

Las pistoleras – Mexican title

Vestens villkatter – Norwegian title

Królowe Dzikiego Zachodu – Polish title

As Raínhas do Petróleo – Portuguese title

Västerns vildaste brudar – Swedish title

Petrolcüler – Turkish title

Frenchie King – English title

The Legend of Frenchie King – U.S.A. title

 

A 1971 French, Italian, Spanish, British co-production [Films EGE, Francos Films, Société Nouvelle de Cinématographie (Paris), Vides Cinemartografica (Rome), Copercines Cooperative Cinematográfica (Madrid), Helmdale Group (London)]

Producer: Francis Cosne, Raymond Erger

Directors: Christian-Jacque (Christian Maudet), Guy Casaril

Story: Marie-Ange Aniès, Jean Nemours, Eduardo Manzanos Brochero     

Screenplay: Marie-Ange Aniès, Daniel Boulanger, Guy Casaril, Jean Nemours, Clément Bywood

Cinematography: Henri Persin [Eastmancolor]

Music: Francis Lai

Song: “The Ballad of Frenchie King” sung by Little Sammy Gaha

Song: “La vie Parisieene” sung by Micheline Presle (micheline Chassagna)

Song: “Prairie Women” sung by Claudia Cardinale

Running time: 95 mnutes

 

Cast:

Louise ‘Frenchie King’ Miller – Brigitte Bardot

Marie Sarrazin – Claudia Cardinale – Claude Cardinale

Marshal Jefferds – Michael J. Pollard (Michael John Pollard, Jr.)

Petite Pluie/Little Rain – Patty Shepard

Aunt Amelie – Micheline Presle (Micheline Chassagne)

Doc Miller – Henry Czarniak (Henri Czarniak)

Marc Sarrazin – Georges Beller

Caroline – Teresa Gimpera (Teresa Flaquer)

Virginie – Emma Cohen (Emmanuela Rahola)

Mademoiselle Angeline Letellier - Carmen Martínez Sierra

Luc Sarrazin – Patrick Préjean

John Sarrazin – Riccardo Salvino

Spitting Bull – Valéry Inkijinoff (Waleran Inkischinow)

Matthieu – Oscar Davis

Paul - Miguel Del Castillo

Mademoiselle Le Croisic – Denise Provence

Marquis – Leroy Haynes

Mademoiselle Bauer – Maria Vico (Maria Villardo)

Monsieur Leltellier – Jacques Jouanneau

Le Cornac – Raoul Delfosse

Elisabeth – France Dougnac

Charvet – Clément Michu

Constance – Marie-Ange Aniès

Letellier - Jacques Jouanneau

Storekeeper - Jose Maria Caffarel (José Maria Fabregas)

Blacksmith - José Riesgo

Drunk – Cris Huerta (Crisanto Brieva)

Wine merchant - Antonio Casas

Assayer/chemist – Ernesto Vañes

Engineer - José García García

Girl on train – Teresa Rabal (María Balaguer)

Banjo player on train - Leopoldo Francés

Barber - José Luis López Vázquez (José de la Torre)

Crooked roulette operator – Manuel Zarzo

Townsman – José Marco (José Roselló), Antonio Orengo (Antonio Alonso), Sandalio Hernández

Townwoman – Maria Levy (Mery Leyva), Elsa Zabala

With: Guy Casaril, Israel Bull, Juan Manuel Torres

Stunts: Ángel Terrón (Ángel Peñaranda)