Behind the Facade

The story

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

L Lucien BarouxCommissioner Boucheron, district police officer J Jacques BaumerInspector Lambert of the Sûreté J Jules BerryAlfredo d'Avila, dancer of these ladies G Gaby MorlayGaby Valrose, minister's lover E Elvira PopescuMrs. Rameau, wife of an industrialist and mistress of Alfredo M Michel SimonPicking, knife-throwing artist A André LefaurMr. Corbeau, kleptomaniac G Gaby SylviaMadeleine Martin, in love with André A AndrexAndré Laurent, bank cashier, lover of Madeleine S Simone BerriauLydia, singer at “Perroquet”, mistress of the President E Erich von StroheimEric, German naturalized French B Betty StockfeldEnglish, Albert's companion, Eric's mistress

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J Jacques DumesnilAlbert Durant, stockbroker and poker player M MissiaJoséphine, chicken trainer, wife of Picking P Paul FaivreConcierge of the two buildings A Aimé ClariondJudge Bernier, President of the Court of Appeal R Raymond SegardRobert Bernier, eldest son of the President M Marcel OrlucGérard Bernier, youngest son of the President M Marguerite MorenoOwner of the "Perroquet" and the festivities upstairs G Gabrielle DorziatMrs. Bernier, wife of the President J Jean DaurandTelegraphist who discovered the corpse R Robert OzanneBrigadier J Julien CaretteSoldier, confined in the room of a “country” E Elmire VautierMarie, Lydia's dresser L Lina DarwilsTenant C Claude SainvalGaby's gigolo R RaymoneMadame Mathieu's maid J Jean JoffreMr. Martin, blind, father of Madeleine L Lise CourbetPaulette M Marcel SimonJules, government minister and Gaby's lover G Georges BeverTaxi driver (uncredited) G Georges MalkineTaxi driver (uncredited) R Rivers CadetAgent (uncredited) F Franck MauriceAgent (uncredited) R Robert MoorAgent (uncredited) J Jean WienerPianist of the “Perroquet” (uncredited) Y Yves MirandeBum on the bench (uncredited) R Roger Doucet(uncredited) H Hélène Flouest(uncredited) H Henri Nassiet(uncredited)