Under the Roofs of Paris (1930)

Albert is smitten for Pola but ends up wrongly committed in jail, in the meantime her affections are sought after by his friend, and on his release both love and friendship must be tested.

Director:

René Clair

Writer:

René Clair (scenario)

Stars:

Albert Préjean, Pola Illéry, Edmond T. Gréville

1 win.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Albert Préjean	...	Albert
Pola Illéry	...	Pola
Edmond T. Gréville	...	Louis
Bill Bocket	...	Emile, le voleur
Paul Ollivier	...	Un client du café
Gaston Modot	...	Fred, le dur
Raymond Aimos	...	Un gars du milieu
Thomy Bourdelle	...	François

Storyline

While singing in a lower class quarter in Paris, the street singer Albert falls in love with the Romanian party girl Pola, who is the companion of the gangster Fred. One night, Albert meets with Pola, who has just found that Fred had stolen her key, and his friend Louis proposes to toss to date her. However, Albert brings her to his room and they spend the night together, with Albert sleeping on the floor and Pola on his bed. Early in the morning, the pickpocket Émile brings a bag with stolen pieces and asks Albert to keep the bag for him. When the police busts Albert's room and finds the stolen goods, he is arrested and sent to jail. Meanwhile Fred travels and Pola seeks comfort with Louis, and they stay together. When Émile is arrested by the police, he confesses that Albert is innocent and he is released and seeks out Pola. Meanwhile Fred returns to Paris and also seeks out Pola that is with Louis. The three men that are under the spell of the gorgeous lady dispute her love and ...

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Plot Keywords:

pickpocket | petty crime | tenement | working class | paris france | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

American premiere was at the Little Carnegie Playhouse in New York on 15 December 1930. (New York Evening Post,15 December 1930)

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Quotes

Albert, a young street singer: [On seeing Pola bedding down on his bedroom floor] Okay, take the bed, I'll sleep on the floor.

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Connections

Featured in My Journey Through French Cinema (2016)

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Soundtracks

Sous les Toits de Paris
Music by Raoul Moretti
Lyrics by René Nazelles
Performed by Albert Préjean

User Reviews

song of France

René Clair's "Sous les toits de Paris" ("Under the Roofs of Paris" in English) manages to strike the right balance between happy and gritty. This jolly musical tells the story of a love affair between street singer Albert and Romanian immigrant Pola. Or at least, they attempt a romance. They're surrounded by all manner of lowlifes. This is not the gay Paree that we expect.

Released when talkies were still in their relative infancy, the movie has sound scenes, but also silent ones. It finds the right balance between them. Moreover, the characters are complex if lowly individuals. Watching it all these years later, I wonder which direction French cinema would've taken had World War II not happened.

Anyway, outstanding movie. Not the greatest by any stretch, but still impressive.

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French Romanian

Release Date:

15 December 1930 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bajo los techos de París

Filming Locations:

Epinay Studio,Seine-Saint Denis, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Films Sonores Tobis

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Tobis Klangfilm) Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.20 : 1