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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
Movie Info & Details
Release Year1939
Runtime1h 30m
LanguageFrench
CertificationNR
GenresCrime, Comedy
Votes7
DirectorYves Mirande, Georges Lacombe
WritersYves Mirande
TypeFeature Film
Rating7.7 out of 10
Cast10 credited
Also Known AsBehind the Facade
About Behind the Facade
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.
Directed by Yves Mirande, Georges Lacombe, Behind the Facade leans on a strong ensemble — Lucien Baroux, Jacques Baumer, Jules Berry — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.
The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about crime titles of 1939.
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