Under the Roofs of Paris
(Sous les toits de Paris)
Screening on Film
Directed by René Clair.
With Albert Préjean, Pola Illery, Edmond T. Grèville.
France, 1930, 35mm, black & white, 92 min.
Print source: HFA
With Albert Préjean, Pola Illery, Edmond T. Grèville.
France, 1930, 35mm, black & white, 92 min.
Print source: HFA
The street life of Paris in the 1920s provides an exceptionally vivid backdrop to this lyrical story of a love triangle between a street singer, his best friend, and the woman they both love. From the graceful opening pan across the (studio-recreated) rooftops of the title, to the multiple variations of its memorable theme song, the enchantment of Clair's first talkie has remained intact. Even the slight awkwardness of the semi-synchronized soundtrack, as scratchy as if played on a wind-up phonograph, complements its nostalgic, almost anachronistic visuals. That, plus Lazare Meerson's elegantly spare sets, Armand Bernard's jingly score, and the naïve but affecting performances, make for a miniaturist masterpiece.
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