Behind the Facade (1939)
" He's a loser, he gets off to a bad start, but when he wants to, he always has the last word: Justice ! "
In the elevator of two large Parisian buildings, a telegraph operator discovers the body of an elderly woman, Madame Mathieu, the owner of both buildings. Boucheron, the local superintendent, is dispatched to investigate, along with his rival, Inspector Lambert of the "Sûreté". To solve the enigma, they scour staircases and corridors, visiting every floor of both buildings, courtyard and facade. Their gruff rivalry allows them to complement each other in discovering who committed the crime among a gallery of characters, humble or rich, who all have something to be ashamed of... A rare, fast-paced, picturesque comedy set against the backdrop of a police mystery.
Watch Behind the Facade online
Released 1939-03-14 · 90 min · Crime, Comedy
Directed by Georges Lacombe, Yves Mirande
Cast
- Lucien Baroux as Commissioner Boucheron, district police officer
- Jacques Baumer as Inspector Lambert of the Sûreté
- Jules Berry as Alfredo d'Avila, dancer of these ladies
- Gaby Morlay as Gaby Valrose, minister's lover
- Elvira Popescu as Mrs. Rameau, wife of an industrialist and mistress of Alfredo
- Michel Simon as Picking, knife-throwing artist
- André Lefaur as Mr. Corbeau, kleptomaniac
- Gaby Sylvia as Madeleine Martin, in love with André
- Andrex as André Laurent, bank cashier, lover of Madeleine
- Simone Berriau as Lydia, singer at “Perroquet”, mistress of the President
- Erich von Stroheim as Eric, German naturalized French
- Betty Stockfeld as English, Albert's companion, Eric's mistress
- Jacques Dumesnil as Albert Durant, stockbroker and poker player
- Missia as Joséphine, chicken trainer, wife of Picking
- Paul Faivre as Concierge of the two buildings
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