Caroline Chérie

Richard Pottier directed Caroline Chérie, a black-and-white French historical comedy from 1951. Known in English-speaking countries as Darling Caroline, it runs about 140 minutes; its German title is Im Anfang war nur Liebe. Martine Carol plays the lead, with Jacques Dacqmine, Marie Déa and Jacques Dufilho in support. The film's success established Carol as a leading star of French cinema in the early 1950s, and some daring nude scenes made her a national sex symbol.

The story is drawn from a historical novel that Jacques Laurent wrote under the pen name Cécil Saint-Laurent, and it follows the loves of the title heroine, Caroline. Jean Anouilh wrote the screenplay. The cast also includes Pierre Cressoy, Alexandre Mihalesco, Alfred Adam, Catherine Fonteney, Germaine Kerjean and Georges Géret. Filming took place at the Billancourt Studios in Paris, with sets designed by art director Jacques Krauss.

The success led to two sequels, A Caprice of Darling Caroline (1953) and Caroline and the Rebels (1955). Carol reprised her role in the first, while the second starred Brigitte Bardot as a different character. The story was filmed again in 1968 as Darling Caroline.