Roger Richebé is looked upon as some kind of Ed Wood in his native France.The difference is that now ,thanks to Burton,Wood is known worldwide.And Richebé ,though he does not make two-bit sci-fi,is a director whose movies-when one can see one!- are sometimes fine and show respect for the audience.
"Les amants de minuit" is a very charming Xmas tale,with a pair of talented actors,Marais as an handsome forger and Dany Robin,charming, some kind of French Audrey Hepburn.Never vulgar,never ponderous,the movie is inspired by Cinderella fairy tale,the only difference being that at midnight,the coach is a pumpkin again for good.
Roger Richebé was his own producer-like Wood- but he was a wealthy one,because his movies made a lot of money in their time.That's no reason for dismissing them all.Here he allowed himself an ending few producers would have accepted.A Xmas tale that does not work any miracle is almost the contrary of a Xmas tale.
Legends die hard.
