Sous les toits de 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 ...

---

Plot Keywords:

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

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Musical | Romance

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

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

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.

---

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.

---

Connections

Featured in Les dossiers de l'écran: Boulevard du crépuscule (1969)

---

Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Strong on technique....relatively weak on story

"Under the Roofs of Paris" is a film written and directed by René Clair. His direction is lovely--with some creative and lovely camera-work. As far as the story goes, it seems a bit thin.

The film begins with Pola being vigorously dated by Fred. In other words, the thug Fred isn't about to take no for an answer--and Pola is naturally creeped out by him. Ultimately, Fred steals her apartment key and Pola is understandably afraid to return home. When she bumps into Albert, he takes pity for her and takes her home. Over time, they fall for each other. However, Albert is arrested (thanks to his friend Emil) and Fred isn't about to allow Albert and Pola to be together. What's to come of them?

Technically, the film is a mixed bag--though I really cannot fault the film for its deficits. Although the film is part sound and part silent, films outside the United States took much longer to shift to all-talking pictures--so I accept that French films still were making the transition. Sound-wise, this 1930 film is very similar to 1927's "The Jazz Singer"--with a few songs and a bit of dialog but otherwise being essentially a silent film. However, what was very advanced was the camera work and the crane shots--they were very impressive and the film sure looked great.

Apart from the technical, the film had a story that seemed a bit weak. There isn't a lot of depth to the characters, they aren't necessarily likable and I didn't feel all that involved with them. So, overall, it is worth seeing but not a must-see--and not as good as some of the director's other efforts.