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

Across the films original posters it read "All Talking! All Singing!", this was false advertisement as the film was only partial to both and still used the, then, film techniques of silent cinema too.

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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 Cinema Europe: The Other Hollywood: End of an Era (1995)

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Soundtracks

C'est pas Comme ça
Music by Raoul Moretti
Lyrics by René Nazelles
Performed by Albert Préjean

User Reviews

a beautiful musical masterpiece

Having been highly impressed by "Le Million", I decided to check out Rene Clair's other acclaimed musical comedy, "Under the Roofs of Paris". I can happily assure you that this film was even better than "Le Million" in almost every single way. It amps up the heart and humor, has a much stronger emotional impact, and, while "Le Million" felt like a purely plot driven film, "Under the Roofs of Paris" balances plot and character to near perfection.

This hilarious love story unfolds slowly and steadily, introducing the audience to different characters and places without rushing everything. We watch and learn before the plot strikes us like a lightning bolt of beauty. Rene Clair's camera beautifully glides through the streets of Paris, following characters and peaking in on their most fragile moments. This film is like the finest work of literature; it contains laughs and tears, moments of melancholy and hope. It is, simply, a masterpiece.

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French Romanian

Release Date:

15 December 1930 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bajo los techos de París

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