Life story of a charming scoundrel, with little dialogue other than the star/director's witty narration. As a boy, only he survives a family tragedy when he's deprived of supper (poisonous mushrooms!) for stealing...concluding that dishonesty pays. Through years of dabbling in crime and amusing adventures, two women appear and reappear in his life, a dazzling blonde jewel thief and a stunning brunette gambler. Finally, he meets the mysterious Charbonnier who had saved his life in World War I, leading to the surprising next phase in his career...
Writing
Guitry's voiceover is a masterclass in self-aware storytelling.
Direction
Inventive transitions that influenced decades of filmmakers.
Acting
Guitry plays himself playing a cheat—deliciously meta.
Director
Sacha Guitry
Sacha Guitry
le tricheur
Jacqueline Delubac
la femme
Marguerite Moreno
l'aventurière
Pauline Carton
Madame Moriot
Rosine Deréan
la voleuse professionnelle
Fréhel
la rouquine, chanteuse du beuglant
Elmire Vautier
la comtesse Beauchamp (jeune)
Serge Grave
le tricheur (petit garçon)
Pierre Asso
le tricheur (jeune homme)
Roger Duchesne
Serge Abramitch
Henri Pfeifer
M. Charbonnier
Pierre Labry
Maître Morlot, le notaire et cousin
Adolphe Borchard
le pianiste du beuglant
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
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