Actually the resin head sculpt of the priest looks like Fernandel's personification of Don Camillo. LINK Remove the Gendarme and these could very well pass as Italians villagers too. Cheers,

Who's Jacques Tati - the Parisoner who was crying (in the newsreel) when German forces were parading under the Arch de Triomphe? [/quote] Mr Tati was a French comedian/film maker. His films have a special humour, bordering on quiet madness. The dialogue is usually very toned down, sometimes to the level of muttering. Rowan Atkinson (Mr Bean) has said that he was inspired by Tati. LINK

Absolutely! With Don Camillo in mind the hand gesture looks as if Don Camillo is preparing to spread the word of the Lord in his very own, physical, way Robin

Never heard of Don Carmillo. Now I'll have to look it up. My first thought was if the smoker's cigarette was replaced by a pipe you would have a Maigret vignette.

For those who may be interested, some interesting reading: LINK Cheers,

Maigret + gendarme + witness/suspect nr 1 carrying that basket of bread as excuse for being at the scene. Or was it the priest that did it? Hmmmm, that old guy, laughing and smiling, what dark secrets could he be hiding? Has the basket carrier been a choir boy when he was younger? Did the priest do anything? Doesn't that priest have a shifty look? .... hmmmmm / Robin

These look like very useful figures but all I can think of is 'Allo 'Allo ( a chhesy British sitcom from the 80's/90's when I look at the Gendarme. Regards J

"'ello 'ello" it is indeed. Or a scene from the original Pink Panther movies. Either way I need a set for a dio I have long wanted to do.