Mirages de Paris (1933) - full transcript

Madeleine! Madeleine!

- She's not answering!
- Let me through!

She's gone.

The student Madeleine Duchanel
left school without permission!

Who among you knows where she is?

A student who didn't know Charlemagnes'
battles was bound to end badly!

She rouged and powdered herself
like an actress!

And of course she left the day before
the mathematics examination!

I'll see that the police investigation
befits the misdemeanor's station!

Yes -- that station!

Paris! Buy Paris-Midi!



Paris! Read all about it!

Get the latest news!

A great newspaper
gives you the scoop!

Paris!

Paris!

All the latest news!

All for you! Get your copy!

Taking a break,
little lady?

If you're going to sit there,
at least buy a paper!

- Just in from the suburbs?
- From the provinces.

Know anyone in Paris?
A boyfriend, a coquin?

- A coquin?
- Makes a lady's world go round!

What do you want to do?
- Theater! - Usherette?

Oh, no! Star!



DUBOSC THEATRICAL AGENCY
WE MAKE STARS

ENTER UNKNOWN,
LEAVE FAMOUS

24 HOURS
FROM FLOP TO TOP

Yes, Dubosc Theatrical Agency here ...

Well, what are you here for?

The bellydancer's costume
isn't ready?

We've just been using
earrings and a belt.

Hello? Is that you, darling?

Lovely to hear your voice ...

Well, show what you can do.

I'll get an accompanist.

Got the Tonnerre poster?
Put it up.

What do you say
to 15,000 francs?

- A year?
- No, right now.

You'll give me 15,000 francs?

No, you'll give them
to me.

- I don't understand.
- No, she doesn't look it.

But we see thousands
of performers like you!

All rotten with talent!
But talent doesn't matter!

You need publicity!
Only publicity makes genius!

Publicity or money!
Money or originality!

Do something to make yourself
the talk of Paris!

Do something interesting!
Kill a man! Marry the President!

Jump off the Eiffel Tower!
That's it! Jump, and then come see me!

Or rather, I'll go see you --
to beg you to sign with me.

I'll go on my knees --
on my belly --

CHEZ PEGASE CAFE

ALL THE CELEBRITIES

ALL THE STARS

Paris! Get your paper here!

Paris! Buy Paris-Midi!

Get the latest news
hot off the press!

Get your paper,
don't miss a thing!

Paris! News of the great city!

Paris! All the happenings!

Everything that happens,
high and low!

Paris! Buy the Paris papers!

- What'll it be?
- Excuse me, sir --

Is this where I can see
celebrities and stars?

Nothing but!
What'll you have?

- Two beers!
- Right! Two brandies!

Could you name some of them?

Chevalier, Charlot, Chaliapin,
Damia, Debler ...

Yesterday it was so crowded
Cécile Sorel had to wait for two hours!

Chocolate, café crème, vermouth cassis?
- But who's here today?

Today? We happen to have
Josephine Baker and Mistinguett.

They seem so down-to-earth.

Of course! On stage, there's makeup,
lighting, the prompter's box ...

... the firemen, the conductor --
all that makes a difference!

Sir? ... I only have two hands!

What will you have?

- A Pernod?
- Yes!

Hello, François!

- How's Juliette?
- You know Juliette!

- And you?
- I've got a part!

A part in Tonnerre's revue!
Well, just a line. But I can eat!

Who's that?

The great singer,
Tonnerre!

Mon cher maître --

My fate is in your hands.
My future, my life -- every, everything!

Every, everything?

Do something for me.
Help me.

- What should I do, Miss?
- Give me a chair.

Here -- do sit down.

- A glass of water.
- A glass of water?

Better?

I never had Pernod before.

But don't think I'm drunk!

I've only been tipsy once.
I drank three little glasses of cocoa!

I was terribly afraid to talk to you!

But it just went poof!

You don't frighten me at all now!

Even though you're famous!

One word from you to your manager
and I'm hired!

I know thousands of young girls
ask you the same thing!

Morning, noon, and night!

You won't leave me?

After all, I can't kill a man!

Or marry the President,
or throw myself off the Eiffel Tower!

There -- all fixed!

I must be going.

I'll do all I can for you -- meet me
after the show, at the stage door.

Personal
c/o Vaugirard Candyshop
Miss Lajarisse
("Les Petunias" Boarding School)

Boarding school kept me
from living my life.

No sooner was I in Paris ...

... the very day I arrived ...

... than I was noticed ...

... by a famous artist ...
who loves me already ...

... the great Tonnerre himself!

The sun rises,
as do I!

That's how it is,
every day!

I rise to battle Evil!

Come! Follow me!

Let's be off
to combat Evil!

Pardon me, madam,
who's the soloist with the big wings?

Tonnerre, of course!

Madam, is that really Tonnerre?

Makeup does make a difference!

Where's François?
François, hurry!

- Who was that tart?
- What tart?

- At the café!
- Come on, François!

Not you! No!

Don't forget: Tonnerre says
"Where is he?" and you say:

"Here I am!"

- Say, listen, you --
- You're crazy, I've got to sing!

I'll make a scene!

Not here! Come with me!

- What do you want?
- Who was the tart at the café?

I don't know! Leave me alone,
I've got to sing my line!

- Are we even now?
- Not yet!

- I think that'll do.
- Not yet!

Ready turntable.
Set.

Go.

- François isn't there!
- Where is he?

You don't get out
till you tell me the truth!

I love you, I adore you,
but piss off!

Brute!

Where is he? François!

Ah, my old enemy!

Where is he?

There he is!

Ah, my old enemy!

- Where is he?
- There he is!

- Where's the key?
- I don't know!

Where is he?

There he is!

Say, where is he?

There he is!

Where is the vile creature hiding?

Where is the rascal?

The villain?

The good-for-nothing?

Where is he?
I won't go on!

I won't go on!
I cancel my contract!

Where is he?

No! No! Curtain!

There he is!

My rival is no more!

He is dead!

Curtain!

For Mr. Tonnerre, please.

For him and no one else.
Thank you!

He ruined my best bit!

One of us must go --
him or me!

Him, please!

If this wretch stays one more minute,
I'll leave you flat!

Get out! You can pick up
your pay tomorrow evening!

You'll be hearing from the union!

Dear Mr. Tonnerre,
Don't forget our rendezvous.
I'll wait at the stage door.
-- Madeleine Duchanel

Come on, François,
clear out of here, and fast.

Tonnerre was absolutely right.
Don't let him catch you here!

I always knew you were trouble!

You're not the star here --
Tonnerre is!

I'm glad you're leaving!
Good riddance!

And give that, with my regards,
to Mr. Tonnerre!

Thank you very much, Miss.

It was just a little thing.

Really?
Well, I won't forget it soon.

You were so nice to me --
I thought I might --

Well, what's done is done.
Goodbye, Miss.

Now what do you want?

To show you what I can do.

Don't you ever put
that handbag down?

- Yes. Sometimes.
- You might have left it at the hotel.

I don't have a hotel yet.

No hotel?
And no restaurant either, eh?

Come along --
supper at my place.

It's in the most chic neighborhood
in Paris - on the Canal Saint Martin.

Here -- take your pick.

You're not eating?

I'd rather sing you my song, first.

Your home is very original.

Very original,
for a great artist like you.

I can't eat with people looking at me.

Give me your song,
I'll accompany you.

My first dance ...

My first dance

was at my grandmother's house

I danced, more or less,
with my grandfather

But, as far as I can remember,

I didn't enjoy it. No --

"My dear friends,
School kept me from living my life.

No sooner was I in Paris
than I was noticed by a great artist

who loves me already --
none other than the great Tonnerre!"

The great Tonnerre!

Often I've dreamed of meeting

the dancer who could thrill me

It must be truly delicious

to waltz when you're two people in love!

Yes! Yes, I'm sure

when a loving partner
holds one

one feels a sweet intoxication

my untried heart is certain of that!

Bravo! Wonderful!
That'll be a great number for us!

- Us?
- Yes, us!

Well now!
You two have got some nerve.

What a pair!
You don't treat me that way.

- Listen, Juliette --
- No!

Where do you get off,
short stuff?

You have to get up early in the morning
to mess with me!

- Shut up and leave the kid alone!
- Me, shut up!

Madeleine! Where are you going?
Madeleine, listen ...

I'll jump out the window!
François, I'll jump!

Madeleine, I can't leave you alone here
in the street at night!

If I weren't on the fifth floor ...

I swear you can trust me!
Madeleine, you must listen!

You'll listen? Yes?
Wait for me -- I'll be right back.

You'll wait for me? Yes?
You will, eh?

It's over forever.
- Juliette

Well, Miss!

Up you get. You know why?
Come on.

WET PAINT

No! Let go of me!
The police!

- What police?
- They want to take me back!

- Where are they?
- There! There! Everywhere!

They're chasing me!
- Police!

Police! Run!

Come on!
Surround the block!

Grazie, signorina!
You saved us!

Take this as a souvenir.
Grazie! Thank you!

- May I have a room?
- Unaccompanied ladies pay in advance.

- I have no money.
- See you!

- Madame, could I give a guarantee?
- A guarantee?

Pepito!

Rossignol!

Come here.

Pepito!
It's not the police, come down.

What is it, Miss Delectable?

Take a look --
what do you think?

Cute!
Best thing in the house!

No, this!
Real or paste?

You're the expert!

- Real?
- The genuine article.

Where did you "buy" this?

I didn't buy it, Sir.

No kidding!

Good to go.

Upstairs -- number 7.

Goodnight, colleague!

Goodnight.

Good --

Allow me to introduce myself, Miss!

Rossignol, AKA The Squirrel,
specialist in jewelry!

Not scared,
all by yourself?

Mr. Rossignol!
- What?

I thought you only liked
sentimental brunettes!

We'll settle this like gentlemen.

Come here.

Short straw.

Go ahead.

Well now!
You two have got some nerve.

You don't treat me that way.

What a pair!

You have to get up early in the morning
to mess with me!

Where do you get off,
short stuff?

- That will do.
- We're not accustomed to such talk.

Virtue ... Betrayed!

Some girl's getting a beating.

Please ... don't cry.

It hurts me to hear a woman bawl.

I beg you ...
as a friend ...

See? He wants to kill her, even!

No, she's killing me!
It's too sad!

So why are you crying, girl?

- Why are you crying?
- Did your lover dump you?

- That happens in Paris!
- Yes, it's Paris I'm crying about!

What a terrible, terrible city!
- Now, now!

- Things could be worse!
- Oh, really?

I don't even have a nightgown now!

Why no nightgown?

All my things are gone!
All! All!

I have nothing: no money, no suitcase,
no coat, no hat!

Not even a toothbrush!

Where are your things?

First he was nice to me.

He even took me home
to eat sausage.

And then ...
- And then?

Come on, tell us!

And then he kissed me.

- What did she say?
- He kissed her!

- He kept my things.
- Hear that, everyone?

He helped himself
to her glad rags.

Poor kid.
- Who? Who did it?

Yeah, who did it?

Please don't hurt him!

- Tell us anyhow.
- Yes, kid, answer!

Answer!

Will you answer,
yes or no?

You know where Madeleine is.
Speak up!

Will you not have pity?
Pity on this unhappy aunt ...

... this unhappy uncle,
wasted by sorrow ...

... pity on this unfortunate young man,
already a worthy land registrar ...

... who was to wed Madeleine!

Have pity! Pity on them!

I give you five minutes!

- Who is it?
- Tonnerre!

That's him! She's with him!
Save her!

It's inedible!
Even the dog won't have it!

What do you want now?

This is a mission
of honor.

Okay, pal.

Gentlemen,
you wished to see me?

Here I am.

Sir!

For adults only!

Very well, Sir.
Baron Pepito Durand!

Mr. Rossignol, jeweler!

Sales manager, Bancroft!

Myself.

Well, gentlemen?

Sir!

We are here in the name
and at the request --

-- of our -- accused?

- Backer.
- Of our accused backer!

Well, we're here.
And that's that!

Give us back the dough
and the glad rags!

What glad rags?
What dough?

Don't play dumb!

The suitcase. The coat.
The hat.

The toothbrush.

And the nightgown.

What the hell is this?

What nerve!

We are here for the glad rags
of the young girl you picked up --

-- and kicked out because
your regular dame showed up!

- This is foul blackmail!
- Shut up!

You'll be hearing from us!

- You'll be hearing --
-- from us!

Get out! Get out!

Come in.

- You're free. You may go.
- Already? Thank you kindly!

- Where were these things found?
- Do you know who they belong to?

They were found
in the Canal Saint Martin.

- She killed herself.
- What was the suicide's name?

Madeleine Duchanel.

- Get the latest news!
- Death of Madeleine Duchanel!

- A young beauty came to the city!
- And met a dreadful fate!

- This morning her nightgown was found!
- Floating in the Canal Sait Martin!

- Paris, cruel city!
- That was the end of Madeleine Duchanel!

That poor girl you saw yesterday.
You suggested the Eiffel Tower ...

Well? She has a name now,
doesn't she?

- Death of Madeleine Duchanel!
- It's Tonnerre!

- Tonnerre is responsible!
- Tonnerre is her murderer!

Pipe down!
I'm running this meeting.

The funniest part
was his wife slugging him!

- He has a wife?
- Yes indeed!

A wife and three kids!

- Is his wife pretty?
- A dog!

- A dog?
- Ugly!

Don't worry, kid --
we'll fix him.

- Cut him up?
- No!

- Lift his knickknacks?
- No, cretin!

- Kidnap his wife?
- He wouldn't mind.

- His kids?
- Touch them and I'll kill you.

That guy needs to be hurt
as an artist.

- That's it!
- I have an idea ...

I don't understand -- the house is full,
but I've hardly sold any tickets.

There -- all the pay coming to you.
Sign the receipt!

So what will you do now?
- An artist like me can pick and choose!

- Right. Now, hop it!
- First I'll say goodbye to my pals.

If Tonnerre sees you ...

- Hey there!
- Hey, old boy! And goodbye!

- What are you going to do now?
- Dunno!

No hard feelings, eh?
- Got your pay?

- Sir!
- Tonnerre! He can't see you!

Quick, quick!
- Him again!

- I'll get you --
- See this sign?

"No Entry" -- this is my turf!
- Oh, yes? - Yes, sir!

You'll be thrown out,
like your friend!

Madeleine! Madeleine!

Taxi! Follow that cab!

You're under arrest.

Arrest.

For jewel robbery.

For the death
of Madeleine Duchanel.

You're making a mistake!
I know this girl!

Oh, you do? Come along!

- I'm so glad you're still alive!
- I hate you!

- Please listen --
- Be quiet, Mr. Tonnerre!

Tonnerre? You thought I was Tonnerre?
Oh, that's funny!

- Haha! No, let me explain --
- I won't listen to you!

- At the Palladium!
- At L'Atelier!

The Mob takes up the cause of
Little Madeleine Duchanel!

Your Honor, I swear
I don't know any Madeleine Duchanel!

It's a plot!
I'm a victim, Your Honor!

I absolutely do not know --

You don't know Madeleine Duchanel?
Really?

Pathetic!

"Dear Mr. Tonnerre,
Don't forget our rendezvous.

I'll wait at the stage door.
-- Madeleine Duchanel"

Tonnerre cruelly murdered
poor Madeleine Duchanel!

He languishes now
in a prison cell!

He denies it all --
thus proving his guilt!

- Name?
- Madeleine Duchanel.

Did you read that name in the papers?
A tasteless joke.

Madeleine Duchanel
drowned herself.

- But I'm alive!
- Liar!

Latest news!
A second Madeleine Duchanel!

She's the jewel thief,
but refuses to confess!

She denies it all --
thus proving her guilt!

- I don't know this gentleman!
- I don't know this young lady!

It's very clear! He doesn't know you,
but he did know Madeleine Duchanel.

You are not Madeleine Duchanel!
- But I am!

Please don't tell me
how to do my job.

This is not Madeleine Duchanel.
So where is Madeleine Duchanel?

Madeleine Duchanel isn't here.
Madeleine Duchanel was murdered!

You are her murderer!

You are the thief, and you the murderer,
Mr. Tonnerre!

- He's not Tonnerre!
- Now you've gone too far!

I'm not Tonnerre?
- No, Tonnerre was with me in the car!

- I was in the car?
- It's clearer and clearer!

Bring the other man in!

Your name?
- François Verneuil.

You're not Tonnerre?

You'd know that
if you hadn't stopped your ears!

- So you have no wife, children, dog?
- None!

My voice is going.

I'm taking some time off.

Tonnerre is innocent!

We said so all along!

And now, the real Duchanel!

The real Duchanel!

Duchanel everywhere I see!
A triumph of publicity!