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Want to support this channel and help us preserve old films? Visit Visit our website This 50s era French-language scripted PSA-style film titled “Portrait d’un Alcoolique,” or Portrait of an Alcoholic in English, depicts the perils of alcoholism and how alcohol abuse has gotten in the way of the fictional family man and professional Mr. Morceaux’s life. The story begins with Mr. Morceaux leaves for Toronto to attend a work conference; however he never makes it after a few drinks causes him to miss his train. What ensues is a trip to a doctor and a series of flashback scenes recounting Mr. Morceaux’s journey to alcoholism. This film was made by Mental Health Services of the Department of National Health and Welfare and the Ontario Ministry of Health (Les Services De L'Hygiène Mentale du Ministère de La Santé Nationale et du Bien-Être Social et du Ministère de La Santé de l’Ontario) in collaboration with the Alcoholism Research Foundation of Ontario, the National Office of Film, and the National Program of Health to inform Canadians against alcoholism. The film was directed by Tom Daly, written by Stanley Jackson, adapted into French by Marcel Martin and features Beatrice Picard, Pierre Paquette, Marcel Baulu, Rejane Desrameaux, Henri Poitras, and Guy Ferron as actors. Opening credits (0:08). Man, Mr. Morceaux, and his wife kiss goodbye as Mr. Morceaux heads off for a conference (0:49). Two men speak in an office about their doubts of Mr. Morceaux competencies and the choice of sending him to a conference in Toronto (1:17). Mr. Morceaux sits at a bar featuring ashtray by the Rouyer Cognac company (2:04). Mr. Morceaux misses his train due to being at the bar (2:13). Scene at the bar where Mr. Morceaux, now drunk, passes out at the table and is escorted out (2:35). Mrs. Morceaux answers the phone and learns that her husband is not at the conference (3:13). Mr. Morceaux speaks on the phone while drunk (3:47). Mr. Morceaux’s bosses discuss what to do (4:06). Mr. and Mrs. Morceaux speaks with a doctor who discusses the ramifications of alcohol abuse (4:46). Reenactment of how Mr. and Mrs. Morceaux met as well as the general tone of their marriage - beginning with a scene from a celebratory cocktail party (5:33). Mr. Morceaux begins his career, meeting with other architects and businessmen involving alcohol, that night a fight ensues between the couple (8:32). Scene of Mr. Morceaux drinks with a friend and then he becomes drunk and must go home (11:57). Mr. Morceaux and his wife are invited to a high class event however Mr. Morceaux gets drunk and embarrases himself and his wife (13:22). Mr. Morceaux has a continual habit of coming home late and drunk - Mrs. Morceaux tries to confront him and later discovers him sobbing on his bed (15:16). Mrs. Morceaux has become worried and has realized that alcohol has become more important to her husband than herself, the kids, and friends (17:27). Mr. Morceaux collects bottles of alcohol he has hidden around the house and discards of them while Mrs. Morceaux looks on (18:13). The doctor discusses with Mrs. Morceaux the warning signs that alcohol consumption has become an issue in someone’s life and how to spot them (20:55). The doctor informs Mr. Morceaux of what the suitable course of action is (21:44). Scenes and moments showing how Mr. Morceaux has turned his behavior around - including refusing a drink at a party (25:45). Mr. Morceaux in a moment of weakness decides to return to a bar however he ultimately regains his strength and decides to leave (26:53). Closing credits (28:05). We encourage viewers to add comments and, especially, to provide additional information about our videos by adding a comment! See something interesting? Tell people what it is and what they can see by writing something for example: “01:00:12:00 -- President Roosevelt is seen meeting with Winston Churchill at the Quebec Conference.“ This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit
