Behind the Facade (1939)
Crime
Comedy
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
Commissioner Boucheron, district police officer
Inspector Lambert of the Sûreté
Eric, German naturalized French
English, Albert's companion, Eric's mistress
Albert Durant, stockbroker and poker player
Joséphine, chicken trainer, wife of Picking
Concierge of the two buildings
Judge Bernier, President of the Court of Appeal
Robert Bernier, eldest son of the President
Gérard Bernier, youngest son of the President
Owner of the "Perroquet" and the festivities upstairs
Mrs. Bernier, wife of the President
Alfredo d'Avila, dancer of these ladies
Telegraphist who discovered the corpse
Brigadier
Soldier, confined in the room of a “country”
Marie, Lydia's dresser
Tenant
Gaby's gigolo
Madame Mathieu's maid
Mr. Martin, blind, father of Madeleine
Paulette
Jules, government minister and Gaby's lover
Gaby Valrose, minister's lover
Taxi driver (uncredited)
Taxi driver (uncredited)
Agent (uncredited)
Agent (uncredited)
Agent (uncredited)
Pianist of the “Perroquet” (uncredited)
Bum on the bench (uncredited)
(uncredited)
(uncredited)
(uncredited)
Mrs. Rameau, wife of an industrialist and mistress of Alfredo
Picking, knife-throwing artist
Mr. Corbeau, kleptomaniac
Madeleine Martin, in love with André
André Laurent, bank cashier, lover of Madeleine
Lydia, singer at “Perroquet”, mistress of the President
Crew
Director
Director
Writer
Dialogue
Co-Writer
Co-Writer
Camera Operator
Camera Operator
Assistant Camera
Set Decoration
Decorator
Original Music Composer
Music
Assistant Director
Editor
Assistant Editor
General Manager
Sound Engineer
Script
Set Supervisor
Set Photographer
Makeup Artist
Administration
