The Wing or the Thigh (L'Aile ou la Cuisse)

Claude Zidi directed L'Aile ou la Cuisse (The Wing or the Thigh) in 1976, a French comedy pairing Louis de Funès and Coluche as father and son. It satirizes industrial food and the small world of haute cuisine, and counts among French comedy classics. Released in October 1976, it drew over 5.8 million viewers and finished second at the year's box office behind Jaws. Critics were mixed, but praised its subject and De Funès's return.

Charles Duchemin (Louis de Funès) runs a gastronomic guide that bears his name and defends traditional, quality French cooking. With his son Gérard (Coluche), more drawn to an artist's life, he sets off on a crusade against industrial food. Its figurehead is Jacques Tricatel (Julien Guiomar), with his roadside restaurants; the film also mocks the Michelin guide and the industrialist Jacques Borel.

The film grew from young producer Christian Fechner's wish to cast his idol De Funès, back on screen after three years of serious health problems; Fechner fought insurers to allow it. It was shot from May to August 1976, in a heat wave, in improvised studios near Paris. Pierre Richard was first considered for Gérard but was busy. The music is by Vladimir Cosma.