Behind the Facade

Behind the Facade (1939)

CrimeComedy

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.

Directors: Yves Mirande, Georges Lacombe.

Casts

	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)

Crew