Behind the Facade

Behind the Facade (1939) is a crime, comedy film directed by Yves Mirande, Georges Lacombe rated 7.7/10.

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

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