Behind the Facade
Movie
Geners : CrimeComedy
Rate : imdb 7.8/10
Status : Released
Language : Français fr
Country : France
Release :1939-03-14
RunTime :90 mins
Story :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.
Cast
Lucien BarouxCommissioner Boucheron, district police officer
Jacques BaumerInspector Lambert of the Sûreté
Jules BerryAlfredo d'Avila, dancer of these ladies
Gaby MorlayGaby Valrose, minister's lover
Elvira PopescuMrs. Rameau, wife of an industrialist and mistress of Alfredo
Michel SimonPicking, knife-throwing artist
André LefaurMr. Corbeau, kleptomaniac
Gaby SylviaMadeleine Martin, in love with André
AndrexAndré Laurent, bank cashier, lover of Madeleine
Simone BerriauLydia, singer at “Perroquet”, mistress of the President
Erich von StroheimEric, German naturalized French
Betty StockfeldEnglish, Albert's companion, Eric's mistress
Jacques DumesnilAlbert Durant, stockbroker and poker player
MissiaJoséphine, chicken trainer, wife of Picking
Paul FaivreConcierge of the two buildings
Aimé ClariondJudge Bernier, President of the Court of Appeal
Raymond SegardRobert Bernier, eldest son of the President
Marcel OrlucGérard Bernier, youngest son of the President
Marguerite MorenoOwner of the "Perroquet" and the festivities upstairs
Gabrielle DorziatMrs. Bernier, wife of the President
Jean DaurandTelegraphist who discovered the corpse
Robert OzanneBrigadier
Julien CaretteSoldier, confined in the room of a “country”
Elmire VautierMarie, Lydia's dresser
Lina DarwilsTenant
Claude SainvalGaby's gigolo
RaymoneMadame Mathieu's maid
Jean JoffreMr. Martin, blind, father of Madeleine
Lise CourbetPaulette
Marcel SimonJules, government minister and Gaby's lover
Georges BeverTaxi driver (uncredited)
Georges MalkineTaxi driver (uncredited)
Rivers CadetAgent (uncredited)
Franck MauriceAgent (uncredited)
Robert MoorAgent (uncredited)
Jean WienerPianist of the “Perroquet” (uncredited)
Yves MirandeBum on the bench (uncredited)
Roger Doucet(uncredited)
Hélène Flouest(uncredited)
Henri Nassiet(uncredited)