Behind the Facade (1939)
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 & Crew
Lucien Baroux
Commissioner Boucheron, district police officer
Jacques Baumer
Inspector Lambert of the Sûreté
Jules Berry
Alfredo d'Avila, dancer of these ladies
Gaby Morlay
Gaby Valrose, minister's lover
Elvira Popescu
Mrs. Rameau, wife of an industrialist and mistress of Alfredo
Michel Simon
Picking, knife-throwing artist
André Lefaur
Mr. Corbeau, kleptomaniac
Gaby Sylvia
Madeleine Martin, in love with André
Andrex
André Laurent, bank cashier, lover of Madeleine
Simone Berriau
Lydia, singer at “Perroquet”, mistress of the President
Erich von Stroheim
Eric, German naturalized French
Betty Stockfeld
English, Albert's companion, Eric's mistress
Jacques Dumesnil
Albert Durant, stockbroker and poker player
Paul Faivre
Concierge of the two buildings
Aimé Clariond
Judge Bernier, President of the Court of Appeal
Marguerite Moreno
Owner of the "Perroquet" and the festivities upstairs
Gabrielle Dorziat
Mrs. Bernier, wife of the President
Jean Daurand
Telegraphist who discovered the corpse
Robert Ozanne
Brigadier
Julien Carette
Soldier, confined in the room of a “country”
Elmire Vautier
Marie, Lydia's dresser
Jean Joffre
Mr. Martin, blind, father of Madeleine
Marcel Simon
Jules, government minister and Gaby's lover
Georges Bever
Taxi driver (uncredited)
Rivers Cadet
Agent (uncredited)
Franck Maurice
Agent (uncredited)
Robert Moor
Agent (uncredited)
Jean Wiener
Pianist of the “Perroquet” (uncredited)
Henri Nassiet
(uncredited)
Georges Lacombe, Yves Mirande
Director
Yves Mirande
Writer
