Le Chiffonnier de Paris

Paris, under the reign of King Louis-Philippe. Jean, a rag-and-bone man, witnesses a murder. The victim begs him to adopt little girl Marie Didier. 20 years later, in 1846, she has grown into a beautiful young lady and works as a seamstress. One night, she is taken to a party where she is insulted by the nasty Baron Hoffmann because she was wearing the dress she had made for his daughter. Dashing Henri de Berville takes her defense.

Directed by Serge Nadejdine, Le Chiffonnier de Paris leans on a strong ensemble — Nicolas Koline, Hélène Darly, Francine Mussey — 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 screen titles of 1924.