How Louis de Funès worked to master the famous dance from The Adventures of Rabbi Jacob
The cult comedy will return this Sunday on France 2.
Louis de Funes, black hat, matching frock coat and papillotes, who dances to one of Vladimir Cosma’s cult music. This is the image that remains forever associated with the comedy of Gérard Oury, The Adventures of Rabbi Jacob. So much so that to celebrate the release of the film in 4K in cinemas, during the summer of 2019, 200 people gathered in Paris to participate in a flashmob, reproducing the famous choreography!
200 people gathered to dance like Rabbi Jacob
Dance steps repeated tirelessly by Pivert’s interpreter. In the Premiere Classics from January-March 2019, Vladimir Cosma remembers being surprised by Louis de Funès during rehearsals and filming of the dance scene: “ I rehearsed with him for several weeks, at home, on the piano. I saw a very serious gentleman, repeating the dance steps diligently, without fantasy. I wondered how he could make people laugh. The day I saw him film the scene, I couldn’t believe it. Technically master of his steps, he went wild and brought, with each take, new gags with incredible spontaneity and fluidity. He blew me away! »
Vladimir Cosma: “From Funès, it’s a binary rhythm”
During filming, Louis de Funès notably improvised the kicks he gave to Claude Giraud (Slimane). “ From Funèsanalyzes Bernard Stora, the assistant director for Premiere Classics, learned the steps and movements without making a show of it. This is why his playing, so graceful, remains unforgettable. We filmed, after lunch, with two cameras. The first take was good. Everyone was stunned. »
It was an immediate success in theaters: the year of its release, in 1973, the comedy was seen by 7,295,811 spectators.
All the secrets of The Adventures of Rabbi Jacob are in the Première Classics from January-March 2019, still on sale on our site
