Behind the Facade
1939In 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.
Acted in
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
Erich von Stroheim
as Eric, German naturalized French
Betty Stockfeld
as English, Albert's companion, Eric's mistress
Jacques Dumesnil
as Albert Durant, stockbroker and poker player
Missia
as Joséphine, chicken trainer, wife of Picking
Paul Faivre
as Concierge of the two buildings
Aimé Clariond
as Judge Bernier, President of the Court of Appeal
Raymond Segard
as Robert Bernier, eldest son of the President
Marcel Orluc
as Gérard Bernier, youngest son of the President
Marguerite Moreno
as Owner of the "Perroquet" and the festivities upstairs
Gabrielle Dorziat
as Mrs. Bernier, wife of the President
Jean Daurand
as Telegraphist who discovered the corpse
Robert Ozanne
as Brigadier
Julien Carette
as Soldier, confined in the room of a “country”
Elmire Vautier
as Marie, Lydia's dresser
Lina Darwils
as Tenant
Claude Sainval
as Gaby's gigolo
Raymone
as Madame Mathieu's maid
Jean Joffre
as Mr. Martin, blind, father of Madeleine
Lise Courbet
as Paulette
Marcel Simon
as Jules, government minister and Gaby's lover
Georges Bever
as Taxi driver (uncredited)
Georges Malkine
as Taxi driver (uncredited)
Rivers Cadet
as Agent (uncredited)
Franck Maurice
as Agent (uncredited)
Robert Moor
as Agent (uncredited)
Jean Wiener
as Pianist of the “Perroquet” (uncredited)
Yves Mirande
as Bum on the bench (uncredited)
Roger Doucet
as (uncredited)
Hélène Flouest
as (uncredited)
Henri Nassiet
as (uncredited)