Backdrop

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.

1939 |1h 30m |  Crime, Comedy

Cast

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Lucien Baroux

Commissioner Boucheron, district police officer

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Jacques Baumer

Inspector Lambert of the Sûreté

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Jules Berry

Alfredo d'Avila, dancer of these ladies

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Gaby Morlay

Gaby Valrose, minister's lover

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Elvira Popescu

Mrs. Rameau, wife of an industrialist and mistress of Alfredo

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Michel Simon

Picking, knife-throwing artist

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André Lefaur

Mr. Corbeau, kleptomaniac

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Gaby Sylvia

Madeleine Martin, in love with André

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Andrex

André Laurent, bank cashier, lover of Madeleine

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Simone Berriau

Lydia, singer at “Perroquet”, mistress of the President

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Erich von Stroheim

Eric, German naturalized French

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Betty Stockfeld

English, Albert's companion, Eric's mistress

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Jacques Dumesnil

Albert Durant, stockbroker and poker player

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Paul Faivre

Concierge of the two buildings

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Aimé Clariond

Judge Bernier, President of the Court of Appeal

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Marguerite Moreno

Owner of the "Perroquet" and the festivities upstairs

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Gabrielle Dorziat

Mrs. Bernier, wife of the President

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Jean Daurand

Telegraphist who discovered the corpse

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Robert Ozanne

Brigadier

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Julien Carette

Soldier, confined in the room of a “country”

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Elmire Vautier

Marie, Lydia's dresser

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Jean Joffre

Mr. Martin, blind, father of Madeleine

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Marcel Simon

Jules, government minister and Gaby's lover

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Georges Bever

Taxi driver (uncredited)

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Rivers Cadet

Agent (uncredited)

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Franck Maurice

Agent (uncredited)

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Henri Nassiet

(uncredited)

More Details

Status

Released

Language

French

Budget

-

Revenue

-