The Grand Maneuver [Les grandes manoeuvres] (Archive of 867 original keybook photographs for the 1955 film)

Paris: Cinedis, 1955. Archive of 867 original keybook still photographs from the 1955 French film, pasted on thick stock in three large quarto "Lavis aquarelle" brand spiral bound notebook with maroon faux leather front wrapper and a paper title label affixed on the front wrapper. Nearly all photos numbered in manuscript ink inside a small white border on the recto, and all numbered in mimeograph on the verso. One notebook full of photos crediting photographer Beauvarlet on the rectos.

Director Rene's first color film, based largely on his childhood experiences. Winner of two important French film awards, the Prix Louis-Delluc and the Prix Melies. Screened out-of-competition at the 1974 Cannes Film Festival. Still photographer Beauvarlet remains uncredited for the film, perhaps overshadowed by the film's prolific cinematographer, Robert Lefebvre. Beauvarlet stuck close to Bardot throughout her career, snapping stills in "Her Bridal Night" (1956), "Naughty Girl" (1956), "La Parisienne" (1957), and "The Night Heaven Fell" (1958). His quick-draw style is amply captured here, in candid images of the cast and crew, a jovial celebrity signing, and softer, posed studio portraits.

Armand (Philipe) is a lieutenant in the French cavalry just before WWI, a notorious womanizer and gambler who bets that he can seduce a woman in time for his company to being its summer maneuvers. The woman is Marie-Louise (Morgan), a divorcee who runs a milliner's shop, and who is also being courted by Victor (Desailly). A subplot involving Armand's friend Felix (Yves Robert) and Lucie (Bardot), a photographer's daughter.

Photos 3.5 x 4.5 inches. Very Good overall, several with bruises from offsetting paste, several are loose.