Crooks in Clover
A cult French gangster parody blending noir aesthetics with hilarious slang-heavy dialogue. It captures the clash between old-school mob codes and the swinging 60s youth culture through the eyes of a reluctant godfather.
Crooks in Clover
Crooks in Clover

Les Tontons flingueurs

27 November 1963 France 111 min ⭐ 7.7 (549)
Director: Georges Lautner
Cast: Lino Ventura, Bernard Blier, Francis Blanche, Claude Rich, Pierre Bertin
Crime Comedy
The Generation Gap Friendship and Loyalty Parody of Masculinity Language as a Weapon

Crooks in Clover - Movie Quotes

Memorable Quotes

Les cons ça ose tout, c'est même à ça qu'on les reconnaît.

— Fernand Naudin

Context:

Fernand says this to Maître Folace when discussing the Volfoni brothers' reckless behavior and their audacity in challenging him.

Meaning:

"Morons dare to do anything; that’s even how you recognize them." This line has become a French proverb, observing that stupidity is defined by a lack of inhibition or shame.

C'est curieux chez les marins ce besoin de faire des phrases.

— Maître Folace

Context:

Spoken during the kitchen scene after a toast involves a poetic but nonsensical speech about the liquor.

Meaning:

"It's curious among sailors, this need to make phrases." A dismissive remark mocking someone's attempt to sound tough or poetic.

Touche pas au grisbi, salope !

— Fernand Naudin

Context:

Fernand yells this at a character (often misremembered, but directed at Patricia or a rival in a moment of frustration) to assert dominance.

Meaning:

"Don't touch the loot, bitch!" (A direct nod to the film Touchez pas au grisbi). It represents the drawing of a line in the sand regarding money and loyalty.

J'disperse, j'ventile. Aux quatre coins de Paris qu'on va le retrouver, éparpillé par petits bouts, façon puzzle.

— Raoul Volfoni

Context:

Raoul is ranting to his brother Paul about what he will do to Fernand, moments before getting beaten up by Fernand again.

Meaning:

"I scatter, I ventilate. We'll find him in the four corners of Paris, scattered in little pieces, puzzle-style." A hilarious display of impotent rage and overly descriptive violence.