The Room Upstairs (1946)
"Martin Roumagnac" (original title)

The local building-contractor Martin Roumagnac is fascinated by the fashionable Blanche Ferrand. To impress Blache, Martin presents her with a villa. However, this ruins him financially. ... See full summary »

Director:

Georges Lacombe

Writers:

Pierre-René Wolf (novel), Pierre Véry (adaptation),

Stars:

Marlene Dietrich, Jean Gabin, Jean d'Yd

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Marlene Dietrich	...	Blanche Ferrand - une grainetière intrigante
Jean Gabin	...	Martin Roumagnac - un petit entrepreneur de maçonnerie
Jean d'Yd	...	L'oncle de Blanche (as Jean D'Yd)
Daniel Gélin	...	Le surveillant du collège - épris de Blanche (as Daniel Gelin)
Jean Darcante	...	L'avocat de la défense
Marcel Pérès	...	Paulot - le chef de chantier et ami de Martin (as Perez)
Camille Guérini	...	Gardin - le facteur (as Camille Guerini)
Henri Poupon	...	Gargame - un notable de Clairval
Lucien Nat	...	Rimbaut - l'adjoint au maire, ancien amant de Blanche
Paul Amiot	...	Le président du tribunal
Marcelle Hainia	...	Madame Percheron, la pompiste
Jean Heuzé	...	Le procureur
Charles Lemontier	...	Bonnemain - le bistrot
Georges Bever	...	Un citoyen de Clairval (as Bever)
Paul Faivre	...	L'acheteur de l'appartement de Blanche

Storyline

The local building-contractor Martin Roumagnac is fascinated by the fashionable Blanche Ferrand. To impress Blache, Martin presents her with a villa. However, this ruins him financially. Despite Martin's many efforts for the now femme-fatal Blanche, she is not able to chose between him and the rich consul De Laubry.

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Plot Keywords:

consul | funeral | strangled to death | murder | setting caged bird free | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance

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Details

Country:

France

Language:

French English

Release Date:

18 December 1946 (France)

Also Known As:

The Room Upstairs

Filming Locations:

Place Aristide Briand, Saint-Dizier, Haute-Marne, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alcina

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min 103 min (VHS)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

French censorship visa #4.121.

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Connections

Referenced in Marlene Dietrich: Her Own Song (2001)

User Reviews

European star charisma.

A pleasant French melodrama starring Dietrich and Gabin. Above average because of the great chemistry of the stars, although it must be mentioned that the script does not allow Dietrich to reach her very best.

Also notable for its social theme, the issues that make romance impossible are small town prejudices and class barriers.

Slightly overlong and slowly paced and with a silly moral climax, yet worth a look for those who like Dietrich and/ or old Hollywood melodramas.