Mr. Peek-a-Boo
Encyclopedia
Mr. Peek-a-Boo or Le Passe-muraille is a 1951 French
comedy farce
film
, directed by Jean Boyer
. The film is based on the novel by Marcel Aymé
about a "man who could walk through walls". The film premiered on April 6, 1951.
's character, Susan.
The film is noted for its surprising quality of the special effects which were in their infancy at the time this film was made. The film was released in black and white although a colour version of the film also exists.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
comedy farce
Farce
In theatre, a farce is a comedy which aims at entertaining the audience by means of unlikely, extravagant, and improbable situations, disguise and mistaken identity, verbal humour of varying degrees of sophistication, which may include word play, and a fast-paced plot whose speed usually increases,...
film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
, directed by Jean Boyer
Jean Boyer
Jean Boyer was a French film director and songwriter.- Songs :* 1930 : Un regardé, dans le film Flagrant délit...
. The film is based on the novel by Marcel Aymé
Marcel Aymé
Marcel Aymé was a French novelist, children's writer, humour writer and also a screenwriter and theatre playwright.- Biography :...
about a "man who could walk through walls". The film premiered on April 6, 1951.
Plot
A simple civil servant Léon, who has the unusual ability to walk through walls, falls madly in love with a hotel thief by the name of Susan. He poses as Garou-Garou, a dangerous gangster to attempt to woo her affections, but is arrested and sent to jail. While in jail he annoys the guards by walking in and out of his cell, and keeps persuading Susan to cease her criminal way of life. As fundamentally being an honest and law-abiding citizen, he eventually handles back everything he has stolen, is acquitted by the court, and becomes famous and respected. When he learns that Susan is planning to return to England and start a new life, he decides to confess to her his emotions. However, the couple is interrupted by a sudden rush of journalists. Trying to escape in a building, they get cornered on a corridor, and Léon pushes Susan through a nearby wall. But by doing this, he loses his own wall-walking ability, and the film concludes.Cast
- BourvilBourvilAndré Bourvil, born André Robert Raimbourg was a French actor and singer best known for his roles in comedy, most notably in his collaboration with Louis de Funès in La Grande Vadrouille .-Biography:His father was killed in the First World War before Bourvil was born...
... Léon Dutilleul - Joan GreenwoodJoan GreenwoodJoan Greenwood was an English actress. Born in Chelsea, she studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Her husky voice, coupled with her slow, precise elocution, was her trademark...
... Susan - Gérard OuryGérard OuryGérard Oury was a French film director, actor and writer. His real name was Max-Gérard Houry Tannenbaum.- A commercially successful French filmmaker :...
... Maurice - Roger TrévilleRoger Tréville-Selected filmography:* The Rotters * Married Life * Sinister Street * The Green Glove * The Happy Road * Ponzio Pilato * How to Steal a Million...
... Félix Burdin - Jacques Erwin ... Gaston
- Frédéric O'Brady ... Le médecin-spécialiste (as O'Brady)
- René WormsRené WormsRené Worms was a French auditor of the council of state, son of professor of political economics Émile Worms....
... Un employé au ministère - Nina Myral ... Mrs. Eloise
- André Dalibert
- Nicole Riche ... La dame du deuxième
- Germaine Reuver ... Mme Ménard, la concierge
- Jeanne Véniat ... La sud-américaine
- Georges Flateau ... M. Robert
- Edmond BeauchampEdmond BeauchampEdmond Beauchamp was a French film actor. He appeared in 70 films between 1928 and 1979.-Selected filmography:* Louise * Futures vedettes *Le Bossu * Le Prussien...
... Arturo (as Beauchamp) - Henri Crémieux ... Gustave Lécuyer
Overview
Le Passe-muraille launched the film career of its star, Bourvil, who at the time was only known as a stage comic and singer. Bourvil plays the character of Léon, an ordinary man of the street with particular affection for women, especially Joan GreenwoodJoan Greenwood
Joan Greenwood was an English actress. Born in Chelsea, she studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Her husky voice, coupled with her slow, precise elocution, was her trademark...
's character, Susan.
The film is noted for its surprising quality of the special effects which were in their infancy at the time this film was made. The film was released in black and white although a colour version of the film also exists.