Lilac

The story

Also known as Lilac, this early Anatole Litvak-directed talkie was based on a play by Tristan Bernard and Charles Henry Hirsch. The story bears traces of the Bertold Brecht-Weill piece The Threepenny Opera, with heroine Lilac (Marcelle Romeo) consorting with the criminal scum of Paris. Lilac falls in love with a handsome detective (Andre Luguet), but he doesn't let his emotions stand in the way of his duty, and in the end he reluctantly turns her over to the authorities. At $120,000, Coeur de Lilas was one of the most expensive movies to come out of France in 1931, but it more than made back its cost at the box-office.

Cast & crew

Marcelle RomeeCoeur de Lilas

André LuguetAndré Lucot

FréhelLa Douleur

Jean GabinMartousse

Lydie Villars

Lydie VillarsLa Crevette

Fordyce

FordyceMme Darny

Marcel DelaîtreMr Darny

Georges Paulaisle juge d'instruction

Paul AmiotMerlu

Fernandelle garçon d'honneur

Madeleine GuittyMme. Charignoul

Carlotta Conti

Carlotta ContiMme. Novion