Stavisky (1974) Movie Script
The majority of events related
in this film are true.
However, the authors are not trying
to do the work of historians.
They have allowed
their imaginations some liberty.
They apologise to those
who may share the same names...
as those used for
certain characters in this film.
There is, naturally,
no relationship involved.
There they are!
There they are!
JULY 1933...
CASSIS, FRANCE
Im Chief-Inspector Gardet
of the Sret Gnrale.
Mr Lev Davidovich Bronstein,
known as Leon Trotsky.
For humanitarian reasons,
and as an exceptional measure...
the government of France
hereby grants you asylum.
There is one condition.
You may not intervene
in the internal affairs of France.
We had you disembark here at Cassis...
to avoid demonstrations.
The Press is waiting in Marseilles.
We want to keep your itinerary a secret.
Here is a copy of the decree
authorizing you to reside in France.
And so a page of history is turned...
He led the October Revolution
at Lenins side.
He created the Red Army...
now he is in exile again!
MEANWHILE IN PARIS
Your car, Mr Alexandre?
Yes... Ill be right there.
Baron Raoul is waiting, sir.
Find out who Bonny is working for.
Inspector Bonny often works on his own.
I want the answer today, Boussaud!
If its money, Ill pay.
Just one more palm to grease!
9 tonight, Place St Georges...
the back door.
Thanks for coming back, Baron.
I need your advice.
I dont trust Gaston
to run the Empire alone.
Always delighted to be of service.
Tell me about Biarritz, Baron.
Is Arlette still beautiful?
Still the most beautiful, Sacha.
Yesterday, in Juan Montalvos Hispano...
she was ravishing: a queen!
The jury was simply.
Later, Baron! Dont spoil it for me.
Ill want all the details.
Im keeping you with me all day.
Whats in the news?
Hollywoods on strike.
Wall Streets reeling.
Speicher won the Tour de France.
Have you read Kessels article in Le Matin?.
"The Call of the Blood"
is the melodramatic title.
And what blood does he mean?
Jewish blood!
To protest against...
racial persecution in Germany.
Lord Melchett, president
of the Chemical Industries Trust...
has abjured Christianity.
He has returned to the faith of his forefathers.
And he, Joseph Kessel, approves...
of this gesture by a rich
and powerful man.
Melchett reacts to adversity...
by renewing bonds from which
he was otherwise liberated.
Were supposed to think:
How noble!
Im not struck by the nobility
but by the stupidity!
Calling attention to ones Jewish origins...
is a sure way to arouse animosity
Ever read leftist papers?
Never... I havent the strength.
Theyre so badly written?
"The Council Presidents and most Ministers..."
"are swine, bastards and gangsters"
"The traitors! Shove dynamite up their behinds..."
Is that well-written?
But thats a polemic, Sacha!
The language is purposely excessive.
But youre well-bred...
How can you frequent those Radical-Socialists?
You dont understand...
I frequent those in power!
What can I do? The Left Coalition
won the elections!
If your friends win next time...
well celebrate with champagne.
Dont wait till then, Sacha.
Ill introduce you to my friends
whenever you like.
In power or not, they have power!
Checks ready, Borelli?
Draw 50,000 cash from the La Foncire account.
Have Laloy take 25,000 to Mr Vricourt.
Bring me the rest at the Empire.
Draw 200,000 from the C.I.C. account.
Deposit it to my account at the Crdit Lyonnais.
Transfer 45,000 to Biarritz
and draw 100,000.
Put it in the office safe.
Can I talk to you, Bonny?
Why hound Serge Alexandre?
Alexandre?
Oh yes, thats his name now.
Am I hounding him?
Youve turned in three reports
on him since May.
And La Bonne Guerre
keeps attacking him.
The editors your man.
Drop it!
Do I bother your informers?
Thats just it!
Too much so...
I see...
So Alexandre still works for you?
Put yourself in his place!
Do you want your past dug up?
Would you like anyone digging
into the Volberg case?
I guess Ill fill you in on this, after all.
You see? Thats all money is.
Bits of paper for Borelli to handle.
Off we go, Baron... to the Empire.
Alexanders Empire!
Now describe Arlettes triumph for me.
It was glorious, Sacha... an apotheosis!
Everything was perfect, even the weather.
You would have loved the blue hydrangeas.
A nightmare? What nightmare?
She dreamed that you were both falling.
Its a very common dream, Sacha.
You were in a car that had no brakes.
Shes had that same dream often, lately.
I must tell Dr Mezy.
Is Montalvo still courting my wife?
Nothing can discourage our Don Juan!
He put his car
at her disposal again yesterday.
What about his other plot?
To overthrow the Spanish Republic.
I wouldnt know.
Hes preparing to go to Italy.
To Italy?
Theyre contacting Mussolini.
Of course... Mussolini!
Hello, Doc.
I have to see Alex for a few minutes.
I must examine him!
Hes nervous, depressed and cant sleep.
I dont like that one bit!
Should I have told Sacha?
To say nothing is a kind of betrayal.
But it wouldnt be gallant
to tell him about it...
Yesterday, after Arlettes triumph...
Montalvo launched his final assault...
against her resistances.
"All or nothing," he told me.
"Shes mine tonight, or I disappear".
Whats he saying...?
Arlette seems fascinated.
What can they be saying?
Something has upset them.
My ancestors defeated the Arabs...
3000 acres of olive trees, vineyards.
Mine, by blood-right!
And so I raised my hand.
The Guardia Civil were ordered to fire.
The peasants were shot down point-blank.
In Spain... we have a long history
of knowing how to die.
Why wont you ever see me alone?
Afraid youll weaken?
No, Im not afraid of that,
my dear Juan.
Im not virtuous
and I dont consider marriage sacred.
But I belong to a man.
I am his.
He alone can release me from my vows.
And thats the only thing Im afraid of.
That he might do it!
Can we stage Deux sous de fleurs
modestly?
Use the decors from Katinka, for example.
The public wants new things... everything new!
Gastons right!
With a Depression on...
people want to see extravaganzas!
They want to see all
the things they havent got.
"Life can be beautiful..."
And life can be beautiful!
Right, Alex?
Its two against one...
Deux sous de fleurs it is!
How much will Deux sous de fleurs
cost me?
Go on, start the auditions without me.
I need Mr Grammonts legal counsel.
Ill be needing you, too!
Sorry to keep you waiting.
Heres what I found...
It dates from 1926.
Our next issue will carry the picture
with the caption...
"The owner of the newspaper La Volont...
"and of the Empire Theater...
"during a surprise party"
How do you like it, Bonny?
Ive changed my mind...
Alexandre is on his guard.
Whatll I do?
Go see him anyway.
I have a report here, from Biarritz.
Say its a gossip item... just for openers.
See how he reacts to a direct contact.
La Bonne Guerre doesnt worry me, Doc.
I can handle scandal sheets.
But Inspector Bonny is behind it.
He filed reports on me May 23rd, June 17th...
and July 1st! Thats this month...
Youre well-informed.
I pay enough...
The Police Fund is an expensive mistress!
Grammont, attack the root of the problem.
And the root is the Laforcade file.
Get it over with, lawyer!
Its dragged on for seven years.
Its been postponed 12 times... fine!
Now get the case dismissed
and the civil suit withdrawn.
Try the statute of limitations.
We know judges and Ministers...
find a solution!
Ive talked to Vricourt,
we have a plan.
Well settle
the civil suit out of court.
I can do it with two million...
But I have to ask some questions...
Ask Dr Mezy!
Thats why I had him come today.
Ive forgotten.
Ive decided to forget!
I am Serge Alexandre,
financier and impresario.
Newspaper and stable owner.
Soon Ill head C.A.G.T.R.I.,
an international trust...
Quoted shares worth 500 million,
government-backed.
So why ask me about
that poor jerk out on bail?
That small-time con man.
Dont mention him to me again!
Get him out of my life, Grammont!
Oh, hes perfectly sincere.
Its a typical case of a split personality.
The person that he was... is someone else!
A phantom that he despises... and fears.
Well, the arrest at Marly
in July 1926 is no dream.
Its rather naive...
It was a routine police operation.
Alex had been hiding
for three months.
A warrant was out for his arrest.
Fraud, receiving stolen goods,
bad checks.
And Alex had been warned.
Hes always had "friends"
in the police.
He had time to escape.
But he wanted to give
a farewell party.
Alex likes parties.
I arrested him at Marly.
Two years later, I ran into him at a caf.
He was out of prison.
Case dismissed, he said.
He agreed to become one of my informers.
He gave me some good tips on swindlers...
forgers and addicts.
It was his world.
The day after Alexs arrest...
his father, a reputable dentist...
committed suicide.
And then there were the women.
This is a police report dated April 1926.
"His means of support are vague".
"Lazy and immoral..."
"he takes advantage of women"
One episode was
a determining factor, I think.
You wont find it in his file.
To understand Alex,
sometimes you must forget files.
You have to dream about him.
And imagine his dreams...
Alex was 16 years old and still in school.
A woman of 30, a semi-professional...
found him attractive and took him away.
She took him to Deauville... and initiated him.
Alex discovered...
the worlds of luxury, gambling and pleasure.
That initiation was decisive.
Not at all, Doc...
Not at all!
That woman didnt initiate me.
My grandfather had seen to that!
My father was serious and fearful...
always worrying about respectability.
But not my grandfather!
When I was singing in a musical...
he came to hear me!
He taught me everything.
I came to invite you to join us.
The auditions are great fun!
Miss Zambaux...
Miss Edith Boreal, please!
What have you prepared for us?
Je taime by Sacha Guitry... Act 5.
The scene between him and her.
Where is "him"?
At the last minute, he stood me up.
You wouldnt like to cue me...?
Am I the type for it?
If the young lady has a copy
of the play, Ill try.
Excellent idea, Baron.
"There! Like magic... you have a house".
"Oh! May I look around...?"
"What is it?"
"Theres linen in the closets... and everything!"
"May I see the dining room?"
"Make yourself at home".
"Its so pretty..."
"Tablecloths and silverware..."
"glasses and dishes!
Its beautiful..."
"I forgot to look in the bathroom".
Ill give you five minutes!
This item will appear in next weeks issue.
It may interest you, Mr Alexandre.
You wrote it.
Read it!
"In Biarritz the other day,
baccarat was played for high stakes".
"Up to 300,000 francs
bet by the professional gamblers."
"Henriet, Garcia, Serge Alexandre".
"Alexandre is Stovosky
of the phony Hungarian bond issue".
Excuse the misspelling.
Typographers are hopeless
about foreign names.
Thats enough!
Casino gossip leaves me cold!
Im covered there..
Ask your friends on the Vice Squad.
And the rest is a lie!
Send him the documentation
on the Hungarian bonds.
And the study made by Judge Vannier...
on behalf of the government.
No, your gossip column doesnt interest me!
But your little publication does.
I have a new company, S.A.P.E.P.
My friend Borelli is in charge.
The idea is to group certain publications...
around a central advertising organization.
Ive already signed up
Cyrano and Le Cri du Jour...
and Im negotiating
with Le Charivari and DArtagnan.
And La Bonne Guerre?
Im at war with La Bonne Guerre!
Your project interests me, of course.
Borelli will give you the details.
Give him something on account!
"Ours will be a love without any story".
"No one else will understand".
"And if a playwright were to decide..."
"to write about our love,
the critics would say..."
"its not a play! Nothing happens."
Miss Erna Wolfgang, please.
I can sing, dance and act.
Im also a trapeze artist...
and I can walk a high-wire.
But I have an accent, as you can hear.
Im Jewish.
Ive just come from Germany.
Since the Nazis took power this year...
its hard for us to live in Germany.
It has never been easy for us to live anywhere.
My last role in Germany was
in a play called Die Manahme.
The police closed the theater.
So, here I am!
I had prepared a monologue
but after seeing that gentleman.
Would you please cue me?
If its not an insult to French genius.
Id like to do a scene
from Giraudouxs Intermezzo
But I need a Specter
Let me do it, Baron!
Playing a specter should suit me
Come on, I have a copy for you
Ive made some cuts...
It starts here
What do I do?
You float behind me
Try to read your role
with feeling, Alex
Im on a bench
Its night...
May we have some night, please?
Make it night
"No... the dead are remarkably agile"
"No, the dead
are remarkably agile..."
"They never stumble into the void"
"They never trip over shadows"
"They never stub their toes
on nothingness"
"And nothing ever lights up
their faces..."
The simplest answer is
that he was insane
Mr Chairman, an ex-convict
should be invisible...
"to understand and enjoy
being immortal"
"They arent!"
"What do you mean?"
"They die, too"
"Strange how races
dont know themselves"
"Indians think they are red,
Negroes think they are white"
"The dead think they are mortal"
There... its finished
Why broadcast that youre Jewish?
Because I am
Not much of an answer,
Miss Wolf-track
Wolfgang means wolf-track
Would you like
a more theatrical answer?
Because when I look at trees,
roses, sky...
I know Im Jewish
I hate races that
dont know themselves...
Jews who think theyre happy...
have equal rights and are safe
Where does it get you?
I can be myself... I can be different
Know what my father said?
Be average, Sacha
Being first makes enemies.
Being last looks bad.
Be average so they forget you
But they dont forget us
- Youre from...?
- Im from Russia
Id like you to be happy
30 seconds to reach the street...
Only 30 seconds
to offer you happiness
Not pleasure...
pleasure takes a lifetime
Not vice-versa?
Thats a common error
Happiness is a single moment...
Sunlight on water...
At best, a long series of moments
Pleasure requires much thought
You need time, leisure...
inventiveness
Pleasure is for the rich!
Who are you...?
All this is mine... my Empire!
I can offer you Paris
Thanks anyway...
I like happiness
You made me lose my head
Did I make too much noise?
"The dear was naked and,
knowing my desire..."
"Wore only her jewels,
to set my heart afire"
"She seemed the victor,
wearing such rich attire..."
"With the secret smile
slaves sometimes acquire"
Another little housewife
looking for a great love
A cultivated provincial... the worst!
Just to be rude, I started with...
"Strip except for the jewel!
I want to look..."
She began gurgling
and quoting Baudelaire
That did it!
Luckily she adores mystery stories
I had a topic of conversation
to hide my lack of desire
The little idiot sold it to me
for a pittance
Her husband is a miser...
She needs money for her escapades
Alex! Ive gone over the accounts...
Its a disaster!
Let me speak, just this once
Then you can do what you want
Well compare figures...
Ready
Racing stables...
3 million francs net loss
You agree?
Empire Theater losses
for one season...
6,237,378 francs...
Well skip the centimes
I never count centimes!
600,000
distributed to scandal sheets
3,500,000 sunk into S.A.P.E.P.
Two million in "fees" to lawyers,
politicians...
ex-generals, ex-police chiefs, etc.
Almost finished!
Gambling losses:
2,250,000 at Biarritz...
Five million at Cannes
22 million francs squandered
in less than two years
Squandered?
No, not squandered... invested!
Money attracts money...
I operate entirely on credit!
Why do I have that credit?
Because I throw money around...
as you call it
If I stop now,
people will get suspicious
Theyll smell trouble
and tear me apart!
But you are in trouble, Alex!
In 60 days you have to go to court
Vricourt can make a deal...
Well settle out of court
Make a deal...!
Where will you get the money
to make a deal?
Cover the Bayonne vouchers
You cant re-pay
the 3 million due last week
Five million more
come due in a month
Fake vouchers! What if they audit?
I know, I need 100 million!
But in October,
CAGTRI will be incorporated
500 million! Ill cover
all the Bayonne vouchers...
And well be solvent!
And till then? The emeralds again?
Something much better...
The Spanish connection!
"Love is blind..."
Montalvo? That polo-playing
parlor conspirator!
The polo player is preparing
a coup dtat
Hes buying arms from Mussolini.
He must have lots of money...
Ill offer my Swiss company
as intermediary for the funds
Your excellency,
gentlemen, friends...
Allow me to welcome you
to the first Board meeting...
of CAGTRI, the International
Construction and Finance Corp.
One question...
One big question haunts the world
How can we end the Depression?
The worlds most
civilized countries...
are on the horns of a dilemma
On the one hand,
stockpiles of unsold merchandise...
on the other,
masses of unemployed workers
What is the cause of this situation?
Let me explain, Mr Chairman...
I wasnt his trusted friend,
as youve called me...
I was his trusted employee
We always knew who was boss
Thats too much!
I was promised that no one
would have access to my file
And yet I saw it on Bonnys desk
Anyway, hes done his worst...
He informed La Bonne Guerre
Hell try something else...
unofficially
I know his plan...
Hes going to Biarritz on vacation.
Hell go to Bayonne for a loan
Hell pawn fake jewels
at the Municipal Loan Office
Did you see Boussaud go out?
Nothing suspicious?
You werent followed?
The Sret Gnrale is a snake pit...
As bad as Police Headquarters!
Vricourts in the legislature...
He ought to get
a Police Reform bill passed!
Know where Bonnys vacationing?
In Biarritz... 5 miles from Bayonne
Hes setting a trap for me...
Using fake jewels as collateral
at the Municipal Loan Office
Then he can investigate officially
Hes not stupid
Lets go wake Arlette...
in Biarritz!
Arent we dining with the Baron?
Well all go!
Ready to roll all night?
Lets buy flowers
Flowers... at 6 AM?
No matter what time it is!
I want a mountain of white flowers
for Arlette
Well drag the florists out of bed...
Lilies, orchids, camelias, roses...
White roses are very pretty
I dreamt it again
I know
The car was rolling on grass
We were together...
Yes... I was in your arms
I heard your voice in my ear
Saying the same words?
The same words... the ermine,
the orchids...
Your voice in my ear...
The car was picking up speed?
Going faster and faster...
plunging down the hill
We went over a cliff
The car took off
in a cloud of white feathers
No... they were snowflakes
My mouth was filled with snow
I couldnt breathe,
couldnt see your face
Snow everywhere...
Theres no snow, Arlette
Theres a July sun shining
Were happy...
Its lovely... Wheres it from?
Yesterday at 10 AM a lady
from Angoulme was wearing it...
in the lobby of the Claridge
At 5 PM, I was in her bed
Plump, smooth-skinned,
wicked... brainless!
At 7 PM,
the necklace was in my pocket
You made her pay you...?
Never! But I got it
for a tenth of its value
The maids will be coming in...
I dont care!
MUNICIPAL LOAN OFFICE
OF BAYONNE
Three million
in unpaid vouchers, Alex...
If a Tax Inspector notices
that the numbers...
dont match my accounts, Im through!
You must reimburse, Alex
The inspector wont notice anything!
Has he noticed anything before?
Relax, Ill send you the money
next week
Watch out for Inspector Bonny!
Thats important...
How does it feel to have squandered
such a fortune?
I feel quite contented, Sacha
Its the only real contentment!
After conquering Europe
for Napoleon...
my family went on to conquer
a financial empire
I dissipated those ill-gotten gains
in one long celebration!
Of course, it took me 40 years
to do it
I envy you
I have to invent
the money I squander
I had nothing
Bank is 10,000 francs, gentlemen...
9 to the bank... Baccarat!
Its time to leave Biarritz
Hows your coup dtat
coming along, Montalvo?
Will Mussolini sell you the arms?
Dont worry, Im silent as a tomb!
Who told you?
No one... You went to Italy
so I guessed why
Youre very quick
Such a huge financial manipulation
requires discretion
Funds safely blocked while
you negotiate...
I happen to have a Swiss company...
and Swiss bank accounts
What a timely offer!
Ive been trying to solve
that problem...
Do you recall that American,
Mrs Winters?
The one who had her face enamelled...
Surely you met her at Monte Carlo
Mirror always in hand,
even in the street!
The other day, it all went to pieces
She couldnt stand the sight
The truth of her age
spilling out of the mask
She slit her wrists...
Please dont tell Sacha about it!
Not today
Its an anniversary
Youre his friend, I can tell you...
Seven years ago...
Sachas father committed suicide
A family matter...
Sacha was away... on a trip
I didnt know! Count on me...
Baron...?
Glad youre here...
Tonight, we celebrate!
Oscar Wilde was right.
Prison is the worst thing in life
No, the worst thing in life...
is death!
Prison is worse than death
How can we judge?
We havent experienced either one
Ive been to prison
You forget I was Chief of Police
I would know, my friend...
You dont know!
No one knows who I am or
what Im capable of!
He caught me stealing gold fillings
from his dental clinic
And he said to me...
"If you dishonor our name,
Ill kill myself
Honor and work...
thats all he ever talked about
Did they honor his name
during the Ukraine pogroms?
But he wanted to forget that
He wanted to be a nice,
respected dentist
If grandfather hadnt laughed
hed have gone to Mass!
Whats worse than a craven father?
But he had the courage
to shoot himself
You must leave,
Ive let you stay too long...
Everything all right? No trouble?
Dont you ever get any mail?
How? To Mr Leon Trotsky,
c/o General Delivery...
St Palais sur Mer? Very discreet!
But Mr Trotsky has many visitors...
English and Belgian politicians...
German refugees, extreme leftists
Naturally...
who else would come here?
I mean theyre active leftists
Im sure you know...
that a condition accepted
by Mr Trotsky...
when he was granted asylum...
was that he not get involved
in French politics
German refugees deal
with German politics
Yes, but theyre doing it in France
They need a German secretary
for a few days
I mentioned you... Youll get it
Ill take you there later
Do you go to the villa often?
Whats it like?
Have you read Dostoyevsky?
Its just like a Dostoyevsky novel!
Trotsky and Natalia...
lead an austere, rich,
fascinating life!
And Malraux came for a visit
I wish I could have been there!
According to Rudolph...
they only discussed art,
movies, Poland...
the Red Army and Christianity!
Will Trotsky succeed?
Can he influence the Party?
Thats the question...
All his activity is aimed
at the Party
To influence the Party,
transform it...
restructure it
Trotsky claims that
Stalin has betrayed the Revolution
But the Party is behind Stalin
So how can Trotsky have
any influence on it?
The Party opposes him
A contradiction...
Then why go on fighting?
Because nothings settled yet
No vacation, Bonny?
And you?
An appointment with the Director
at a beach... on a delicate mission!
I leave for Biarritz tomorrow
Ill mix business and pleasure, too
Chief-Inspector Gardet...
my respects
Chief-Inspector Bonny...
my regards
Borelli? Gauthier here...
Tell Alex the guy came to see me
I recognized him right away,
from the picture
He tried to unload
the fake stones on me
No, of course not
I got rid of him
without letting on Id noticed
I simply said that
the Bayonne Loan Office...
couldnt accept any more jewels
Because wed reached
the limit set by regulation
Doctor, someone wants to come in...
Says hes the patients lawyer
Tell him to wait!
Anyway, weve finished
What does this mean?
You dont need a lawyer here!
Yes I do...
I dont trust your diagnosis!
I know what they do...
Lock up a competitor!
Best way to get rid of him
Naturally I have enemies!
Im trying to reform
the European monetary system
Are they the same enemies
who stole the Eiffel Tower from you?
See? Youre trying to make
me think Im crazy...
I never said they stole
the tower from me!
They stole rights
I had paid a lot for...
The Eiffel Tower
radio station advertising!
But Ill get the Eiffel Tower back
Get dressed, weve finished
I saw your patient in April 1931...
Yes, and your first diagnosis
has certainly been confirmed
Yes, a slowly evolving
general paralysis...
with possible remissions
Hence the persecution complex...
Megalomania...
Well continue your patented
malaria-therapy
If youll step
into the waiting room...
with Mr Staviskys lawyer...
Ill prepare
the necessary certification
Mysterious deaths interest you?
Only the death of Loewenstein,
the banker
He had a financial empire like mine
Does his suicide bother you?
You believe
that fantastic suicide story?
Or that it was accidental?
Disappearing out of a plane window...
over the Channel! So easy to do...
No, it was murder
His competitors got rid of him
You scare me, Alex
Im your doctor and your friend...
You need to take a rest
Leave Borelli and Grammont
in charge
Go away with Arlette
Go away... now?
Ive got CAGTRI all set!
SIMA, S.A.P.E.P.,
la Foncire, Bayonne...
all in hand!
Isnt it too much for one man?
Vricourt is worried...
Is he? Just like Dr Pierre...
It worked, lawyer!
Im mad...
so I cant appear in court tomorrow
But the case isnt dismissed!
No, it isnt
You didnt get me
the two million you promised
Vricourt could have made the deal
Youve had since July
to get the money
You know its been rough, Pierre
Youve spent six million
in Deauville since July!
You just throw your money away,
Sacha
Deliver the envelopes, Laloy
The Board of CAGTRI is waiting, sir
Its true,
I do throw my money away!
Well...?
He wont listen.
Hes sick, Grammont
I dont give a damn if hes sick!
We must neutralize him!
Or well go under with him!
Is it that bad?
He hasnt a cent!
Gentlemen, what is madness?
Its not my place
to define it for you
But theres no doubt
that Alexandre was sick
Very sick...
Your idea for absorbing
unemployment is brilliant
Congratulations!
Mayor, well set the wheels
of economic expansion in motion!
When will the stock
go on the market?
Our basic fund,
the Hungarian bond issue...
is guaranteed by treaty
So the government decides when.
A matter of days...
says the secretary-general
of Foreign Affairs
I congratulate you, too,
but I confess...
I know nothing about
international credit
The Hungarian bonds are
a mystery to me!
No need to understand, Baron.
Just trust me!
But I do trust you, Sacha!
I can only give you five minutes,
Im very busy...
His madness took this form...
He wanted the world
to talk about him...
he should have wanted it
to forget him
I cant buy, Van Straaten...
I should be selling
Just keep them
in a safe place for me
Make the best deal
you can for us both
Lets see the merchandise
No doubt their origin...
is a secret?
Maximum discretion, yes!
A royal Oriental family...
They dont want any publicity
The Rosenkrantz necklace!
It vanished
when the seals were removed...
The heirs are searching for it
Anyone else will have
to wait to dump it
And one stone at a time, even then...
But I can pawn it in London
Its risky, Mr Van Straaten
So Ill keep the proceeds
You wont get a commission
this time
Go to London tomorrow
My birthday...
Will I get much?
With a million, I can hold out
See? Im still lucky...
I must see you, Mr Alexandre!
On business...
Ive invented a revolutionary
medical apparatus...
for examining pregnant women
The childs sex and health
can be determined
I call it a Matriscope
It works... its ready to go!
I thought you might like
the exclusive distribution rights
How much do you need to start?
Maybe 10,000 francs...
10,000 francs? Thats ridiculous!
How do you expect
to inspire confidence?
If the Matriscope works,
its worth millions!
If not, your story
still has to be credible
10,000 francs is... incredible!
Stop bothering Mr Alexandre
Nice name, Matriscope... I accept!
Ill teach you
how to start a business...
A charming place...
Is Sacha thinking of buying it?
It was here that Sachas father...
Shouldnt I go find him?
Let him be alone...
Thats what he wants
Im glad youre back
from Rome, Montalvo
I wanted you here
for my husbands birthday
Were going for a little walk
The funds will be
in your Swiss account by Christmas
May I ask how much of your money...
Ill be holding?
One million pounds sterling
For a coup dtat?
Thats enough for a civil war!
Why not?
Im getting old, Baron
What a party we had at the Empire
for my last birthday...
Remember?
I have no zest for anything...
Dont I look like a shopkeeper,
taking his wife out...?
Not you, Sacha... Never!
Yes, yes! Like a little shopkeeper...
Id have a jewelry store...
at a posh resort
Why not?
At dusk, Id stand in my doorway...
and no one would guess
that I once was Alexander the Great!
Am I wrong?
Sacha,
its that little German actress...
Dont you remember?
You read with her...
You were the Specter
in Giraudouxs Intermezzo
Hes allowed to reside in Barbizon...
so Trotskys feeling better.
Hes working again
Know what he says?
With the forest so close...
and working
with Communist League groups...
reminds him of Russia
when he was young
When everything seemed possible...
you had only to invent it
But sometimes he gets discouraged
The other day he suddenly said...
"Old age is
the most unexpected thing..."
"that ever happens to man"
Thats a happy thought!
Exile is never happy!
Whenever I think
about this sad story...
its as though
everyone wore masks
Like Sacha:
Alexandre-of-the-thousand-names...
And I always think
of that day in November 1933
Why does it haunt me?
Perhaps because on that day...
I had a premonition
of Alexandres end
And yet, you had to know us
in those years...
to know the real joy of living!
We were all Alexandres age...
we basked in Arlettes beauty
Its so painful
to imagine her today...
in the sordid world of a prison
Her beauty warmed our hearts
There is a store
in Biarritz, gentlemen...
whose name symbolizes
that period for me...
Biarritz-Bonheur...
Biarritz happiness
I must remind the witness
of where he is!
This Parliamentary Committee
is investigating...
a scandal that resulted
in rioting and death on Feb. 6th...
leading France
to the brink of civil war
Your testimony has certainly
been colorful...
but what about the sordid aspects?
This is the truth as I know it
You say you are telling the truth
I remind you that
you have sworn to do so
Now permit us
to ask you some questions
You first met Alexandre at
the Biarritz Casino in April 1931...
You met him at the Casino...
Hadnt you ever heard
that he was indexed?
Banned from every Casino in France
at the time?
Never, sir!
And I find it hard to believe,
even today
Because for over two years
I saw him...
in Cannes, Biarritz, Deauville...
The Casino inspectors
all greeted him cordially
I saw Alexandre play baccarat...
with well-known businessmen
and politicians
They treated him as an equal!
Thats why its hard to believe!
That was in April 1931...
Exactly when he started...
the Bayonne Loan Office operation...
flooding France with fake vouchers
Did you know about it?
Nothing at all
I first heard about it
three months ago...
when the scandal erupted
Try to understand, gentlemen
Life isnt like the theater
On stage, we see everything
But Im like Fabrice at Waterloo
in Stendhals novel...
I only know one small piece
of this Chinese puzzle
Mr Raoul, we cant finish
with your testimony today
We will notify you
when to appear again
Inspector Gardet
TROTSKY SHOULD NOT BE SENTO CORSICA
The agitator Trotsky
resides only 40 miles from Paris
Staviskian crooks have a free hand
Bolshevik rabble do as they please
It is time for the Government...
to mop up this international scum
What was the date?
The end of November 1933
I was summoned by the Director
of the Bureau of Investigation
I had been an another case
He handed me a note...
"Serge Alexandre,
28 Place St Georges..."
"C.A.G.T.R.I."
"Urgent that you investigate
this individual..."
"per request
of Foreign Affairs Minister"
I started with the Files section
of our division
I established that Serge Alexandre
was Stavisky
Yes, Handsome Sacha!
Hes called Serge Alexandre now?
"Alexandre, Serge... see Stavisky"
"Alexandre-Sacha,
also known as Alex,
Jean Sacha, Doisy de Monty..."
"and Victor Boitel,
born November 20, 1886 at Sobodka..."
"State of Kiev, Russia"
Which section has his file?
No section!
Its a very special file...
Its kept locked up
Takes an OK from the
Assistant Director to look at it
Youre in for a lot
of surprises, Inspector!
I went in search of the file...
Finally I was told: "Bonny has it"
I went to see Chief-Inspector Bonny
He had the file
I told him Foreign Affairs
wanted a report
Bonny knew the file well
He showed me a 1926 police report
Alexandre was already described
as a crook...
a typical confidence man
Did Inspector Bonny tell you
why he had the file?
Didnt you ask him?
No, I had no particular reason
to be interested
Why are you so interested
in this file, Bonny?
Or rather... against whom
do you want to use the information?
That depends on the next elections...
If the Right wins, this files
implicates the Radical-Socialists
But if the Radicals stay in office...
two Chiefs, Sret and Police,
are mine!
I can sink them...
Theyre in it up to their necks
Like Alexandre, Im hedging my bets
Watch out, Bonny...
youre not invulnerable
Bonny must have made a report, too
But I never heard about it.
I went...
to 28 Place St Georges...
I learned that Borelli
was probably...
the director of C.A.G.T.R.I.
I also found out who
the Board members were
Was Baron Raoul...
on the Board of Directors?
Yes he was
Then I went to the Claridge...
to see if Stavisky still lived there
I returned to the Sret...
I turned in my report there
I took a copy to Mr de la Salle...
at Foreign Affairs
And my mission ended there
So on November 22, 1933,
the Foreign Affairs office...
was fully informed
as to Alexandres character?
Thats right, sir
Was any action taken on your report?
I dont know...
No legal action, at any rate
Thats the last I heard of it
La Salle! What a surprise...
Lets say that Im here...
unofficially
May I come in?
Its Sunday... the servants are off
And the furnace has broken down
So it would be best
if you quit the Board
The Government isnt going
to guarantee...
the Hungarian bonds for CAGTRI
Please dont explain it to me...
I wont understand.
I only accepted out of friendship
You should choose your friends
more wisely!
I repeat:
Alexandre is not respectable
Hes not even French...
He has no fixed abode
So Im not even French!
No fixed abode!
If you dont live
in a century-old family mansion...
youre a gypsy!
My voters registration...
Army discharge...
I want you to look at them!
Then tell Mr de la Salle...
Do you want to check
my police record?
Im embarrassed, Sacha...
But dont you need
the Government guarantee?
Ill see the Minister!
Vricourts a friend of his...
These voucher numbers are missing...
Why?
Because the vouchers are fakes!
So you must have faked them!
If I were you, Mr Tax Inspector,
Id forget it
The scandals too big,
itll crush you...
Todays Friday,
Sunday is Christmas...
Think it over...
Go see the Deputy-Mayor
Look at the elections in Spain!
We need a National Bloc
to rule without parliament...
supported by professional people
Men of integrity, veteran soldiers,
in all the key posts!
Thats what the play
were seeing tonight is about
Did Shakespeare support
the National Bloc?
Is he one of your Rightist friends?
All right, Sacha, have your fun
But Coriolanus really is
a violent attack...
on parliamentary government
Arlette,
that white ermine is ravishing!
You herald winters
immaculate snows...
I go to Madrid tomorrow,
the deal is closed
The million pounds will
be deposited by next week
"No, take more!
There where worship is double..."
"There where gentry,
title, wisdom..."
"cannot conclude..."
"but by the Yea and No
of general ignorance..."
"There, necessities give way
to slightness"
"There... disorder reigns!"
"The multitudinous tongue
mangles true judgment"
"The State is bereaved of integrity"
"Nothing is done to purpose"
"The State must needs collapse"
"You patricians and senators
who love Rome..."
Bayonne is finished...
Gauthiers in jail
He talked?
Hell name you sooner or later
Meet Grammont and Vricourt
at the Empire later
Avoid the Claridge
Burn the papers at the office
Ill try to find Inspector Boussaud
"Abolish the peoples Tribunes!"
You have 3 days...
thanks to the Christmas Holidays
He must go!
If we keep the lid on,
hes had a vacation
If not... its safer
Here, he might be indiscreet...
Ill get him out of Paris
Where to?
An employees place near Chamonix
His names Laloy,
Alexandres office messenger
He can be convinced...
Hes had trouble with the law
Youve known Alexandre longest...
What will he do?
I hardly know Serge Alexandre
I know Stavisky...
A small-time crook,
a charming con man...
one of my informers
Good at laundering money...
Stavisky would leave with Arlette
Hed start all over
But Alexandre? I just dont know...
This is mostly your own fault
I warned you...
Lately youve mismanaged everything
You threw money away!
I threw it away on all of you!
Wheres Vricourt?
The honorable Deputy!
I financed his whole campaign
last year...
Hes my deputy!
Is he letting me down?
Were all going to let you down, Alex
We wont know you any more
Well say we saw you once,
in a restaurant...
Know what else well say?
That its really not
very surprising...
You should never trust foreigners...
refugees...
Jews
Isnt that right, Baron?
Im your friend, Sacha,
no matter what happens
But you lied to me
A pity!
Anyone here?
Over here, Mr Vricourt
Its finished, Alexandre
The shows over...
Be in Chamonix in three days
Wait for instructions
If I stay here,
I can turn the tide in a week...
Ill have a million pounds
In a week every cop in France...
will be after you!
How can they come after me?
Ive wined, dined and bribed them
Had them on Boards of Directors...
They wouldnt dare!
My names Alexandre...
Im not a mute,
I can tell what I know!
Im terribly sorry, Arlette
Its Christmas...
the potential customers are away
In Monte Carlo, St Moritz...
Ill bring you the balance
in a few days
So Alexander the Great ends
the way little Sacha began...
Letting women get him out of trouble
Hes just getting even with me
I stung him on the Rosenkrantz jewels
Dont leave me, Sacha!
Lets go away together.
Venezuela... anywhere!
Sure, Venezuela!
Well open a French restaurant...
Or a dress shop: Au Chic Parisien
Or Ill peddle your charms...
If we stay together, were safe
Well be together soon,
Vricourt promised to fix it
The cars ready, Alex
Whats that?
Mr Alexandres carnations
If he ever comes back here,
hell wear handcuffs, not carnations!
Happy? Your time has finally come
But remember, Bonny...
For your own sake,
proceed with caution
You know the rules...
The Stavisky scandal
only incriminates the Republic
The comrades Republic is corrupt
You can smear the Deputies,
the Cabinet members...
the Left Coalition Ministers...
But leave us out of it!
But the Chief of Police is part of it
So what can I do?
Whatever you want, Bonny!
But if you involve the Police
or the Sret, well break you!
On January 18th,
the Assistant Director sent for me
By order of the Director,
I was to drop the case
January 24th, I was suspended
So January 12th you report...
Police Chief Chiappes
connection with Stavisky
The 18th, you are warned...
The 24th, you are suspended
Thats right, sir
So the Police Chief s name
in a Sret report...
is cause for suspension
No comment...
Youll have to wait, Baron...
Ex-Inspector Bonny is testifying
WAITING FOR MR TROTSKY TO LEAVE
Until another country
grants Mr Trotsky a visa...
he is ordered to move
at least 200 miles from Paris
In view of the Feb. 6th riots...
the Government wishes
to reduce tensions
Your proximity to Paris...
goads both Right and Left extremists
I am to accompany you
Theyre going to deport Trotsky
Just when France must fight
against fascism
Trotsky wont be here...
The Left will splinter without him
And to think that
its all Staviskys fault!
I dont see that
No Stavisky... no February 6th
No fascist riots forcing
Daladier to resign...
no National Union government
No National Union...
no deportation of Trotsky
Therefore, without Stavisky...
You knew your husbands
psychology well...
Was he likely to commit suicide?
He had periods of depression
Long periods, sometimes...
So you did not find
the idea of suicide incredible?
It was a possibility?
When I went to Chamonix,
I was sure it was suicide
Now, there have been
so many rumors...
Im not sure any more
But they separated us...
They destroyed his will to live!
Its me, boss
Got a cake... Wholl be King?
Its Twelfth-night
Those pious hypocrites!
La Libert...
That "liberty" cost me plenty!
My checks didnt hurt their scruples
Thats life,
Mr Alexandre... not very pretty
Go and get tickets to Paris
Paris means prison, Mr Alexandre!
Isnt this a prison?
Well take the night train
Tomorrow morning,
Ill hold a press conference
Im going to blow
the whole mess wide open!
Ill broadcast from the Eiffel Tower!
All France will be listening
But Mr Vricourt...
Well see what Mr Vricourt
has to say!
The Ministers office?
Ah, its you! Vricourt here...
Yes, I have the information...
Its Chamonix
The telephone number is 319
If he thinks its hopeless,
he just might shoot himself
Yes... it runs in the family,
as you say!
Yes, hes armed, of course
Goodbye...
My respects to the Minister
I was in a worse spot than this...
when I invented
the Bayonne vouchers!
I never have understood
how that worked...
Nothing to it
We duplicated vouchers...
Say theres a real one
for 100 francs...
Wed use the duplicate...
same number, signed and stamped
But with a higher figure.
20,000 francs... 100,000... a million!
We were minting money.
I was the State!
I have to go down to the Village.
To get the train tickets.
BAYONNE MUNICIPAL LOAN OFFICE
SCANDAL
DOMINATED BY STAVISKY CASE
STAVISKY TRACKED DOWN
IN CHAMONIX, SHOOTS HIMSELF
GOVERNMENGETS RID OF STAVISKY,
HAS HIM SHOT IN CHAMONIX
STAVISKY SUICIDE...
SHOT POINT-BLANK
STAVISKYS MYSTERIOUS SUICIDE
ADDS TO SCANDAL
Arlette in prison...
So many guilty ones free...
Thats the real scandal!
Theyll hold her till the trial...
to keep her from talking.
They think she knows
Alexandres secrets
Alexandres only real secret was her.
Arlette...
What I like about death...
is the lethargy.
That dense and sluggish fluidity
of death...
which means that there are no dead...
only the drowned.
What are you saying?
Its the Specter, in Giraudouxs Intermezzo.
Alexandres finest role.
Imagine how hed laugh to see...
the passions,
deaths and hatreds hes unleashed.
I understood too late.
Stavisky was the herald of death.
Not only his own.
Not only those in February.
But the death of an era!
in this film are true.
However, the authors are not trying
to do the work of historians.
They have allowed
their imaginations some liberty.
They apologise to those
who may share the same names...
as those used for
certain characters in this film.
There is, naturally,
no relationship involved.
There they are!
There they are!
JULY 1933...
CASSIS, FRANCE
Im Chief-Inspector Gardet
of the Sret Gnrale.
Mr Lev Davidovich Bronstein,
known as Leon Trotsky.
For humanitarian reasons,
and as an exceptional measure...
the government of France
hereby grants you asylum.
There is one condition.
You may not intervene
in the internal affairs of France.
We had you disembark here at Cassis...
to avoid demonstrations.
The Press is waiting in Marseilles.
We want to keep your itinerary a secret.
Here is a copy of the decree
authorizing you to reside in France.
And so a page of history is turned...
He led the October Revolution
at Lenins side.
He created the Red Army...
now he is in exile again!
MEANWHILE IN PARIS
Your car, Mr Alexandre?
Yes... Ill be right there.
Baron Raoul is waiting, sir.
Find out who Bonny is working for.
Inspector Bonny often works on his own.
I want the answer today, Boussaud!
If its money, Ill pay.
Just one more palm to grease!
9 tonight, Place St Georges...
the back door.
Thanks for coming back, Baron.
I need your advice.
I dont trust Gaston
to run the Empire alone.
Always delighted to be of service.
Tell me about Biarritz, Baron.
Is Arlette still beautiful?
Still the most beautiful, Sacha.
Yesterday, in Juan Montalvos Hispano...
she was ravishing: a queen!
The jury was simply.
Later, Baron! Dont spoil it for me.
Ill want all the details.
Im keeping you with me all day.
Whats in the news?
Hollywoods on strike.
Wall Streets reeling.
Speicher won the Tour de France.
Have you read Kessels article in Le Matin?.
"The Call of the Blood"
is the melodramatic title.
And what blood does he mean?
Jewish blood!
To protest against...
racial persecution in Germany.
Lord Melchett, president
of the Chemical Industries Trust...
has abjured Christianity.
He has returned to the faith of his forefathers.
And he, Joseph Kessel, approves...
of this gesture by a rich
and powerful man.
Melchett reacts to adversity...
by renewing bonds from which
he was otherwise liberated.
Were supposed to think:
How noble!
Im not struck by the nobility
but by the stupidity!
Calling attention to ones Jewish origins...
is a sure way to arouse animosity
Ever read leftist papers?
Never... I havent the strength.
Theyre so badly written?
"The Council Presidents and most Ministers..."
"are swine, bastards and gangsters"
"The traitors! Shove dynamite up their behinds..."
Is that well-written?
But thats a polemic, Sacha!
The language is purposely excessive.
But youre well-bred...
How can you frequent those Radical-Socialists?
You dont understand...
I frequent those in power!
What can I do? The Left Coalition
won the elections!
If your friends win next time...
well celebrate with champagne.
Dont wait till then, Sacha.
Ill introduce you to my friends
whenever you like.
In power or not, they have power!
Checks ready, Borelli?
Draw 50,000 cash from the La Foncire account.
Have Laloy take 25,000 to Mr Vricourt.
Bring me the rest at the Empire.
Draw 200,000 from the C.I.C. account.
Deposit it to my account at the Crdit Lyonnais.
Transfer 45,000 to Biarritz
and draw 100,000.
Put it in the office safe.
Can I talk to you, Bonny?
Why hound Serge Alexandre?
Alexandre?
Oh yes, thats his name now.
Am I hounding him?
Youve turned in three reports
on him since May.
And La Bonne Guerre
keeps attacking him.
The editors your man.
Drop it!
Do I bother your informers?
Thats just it!
Too much so...
I see...
So Alexandre still works for you?
Put yourself in his place!
Do you want your past dug up?
Would you like anyone digging
into the Volberg case?
I guess Ill fill you in on this, after all.
You see? Thats all money is.
Bits of paper for Borelli to handle.
Off we go, Baron... to the Empire.
Alexanders Empire!
Now describe Arlettes triumph for me.
It was glorious, Sacha... an apotheosis!
Everything was perfect, even the weather.
You would have loved the blue hydrangeas.
A nightmare? What nightmare?
She dreamed that you were both falling.
Its a very common dream, Sacha.
You were in a car that had no brakes.
Shes had that same dream often, lately.
I must tell Dr Mezy.
Is Montalvo still courting my wife?
Nothing can discourage our Don Juan!
He put his car
at her disposal again yesterday.
What about his other plot?
To overthrow the Spanish Republic.
I wouldnt know.
Hes preparing to go to Italy.
To Italy?
Theyre contacting Mussolini.
Of course... Mussolini!
Hello, Doc.
I have to see Alex for a few minutes.
I must examine him!
Hes nervous, depressed and cant sleep.
I dont like that one bit!
Should I have told Sacha?
To say nothing is a kind of betrayal.
But it wouldnt be gallant
to tell him about it...
Yesterday, after Arlettes triumph...
Montalvo launched his final assault...
against her resistances.
"All or nothing," he told me.
"Shes mine tonight, or I disappear".
Whats he saying...?
Arlette seems fascinated.
What can they be saying?
Something has upset them.
My ancestors defeated the Arabs...
3000 acres of olive trees, vineyards.
Mine, by blood-right!
And so I raised my hand.
The Guardia Civil were ordered to fire.
The peasants were shot down point-blank.
In Spain... we have a long history
of knowing how to die.
Why wont you ever see me alone?
Afraid youll weaken?
No, Im not afraid of that,
my dear Juan.
Im not virtuous
and I dont consider marriage sacred.
But I belong to a man.
I am his.
He alone can release me from my vows.
And thats the only thing Im afraid of.
That he might do it!
Can we stage Deux sous de fleurs
modestly?
Use the decors from Katinka, for example.
The public wants new things... everything new!
Gastons right!
With a Depression on...
people want to see extravaganzas!
They want to see all
the things they havent got.
"Life can be beautiful..."
And life can be beautiful!
Right, Alex?
Its two against one...
Deux sous de fleurs it is!
How much will Deux sous de fleurs
cost me?
Go on, start the auditions without me.
I need Mr Grammonts legal counsel.
Ill be needing you, too!
Sorry to keep you waiting.
Heres what I found...
It dates from 1926.
Our next issue will carry the picture
with the caption...
"The owner of the newspaper La Volont...
"and of the Empire Theater...
"during a surprise party"
How do you like it, Bonny?
Ive changed my mind...
Alexandre is on his guard.
Whatll I do?
Go see him anyway.
I have a report here, from Biarritz.
Say its a gossip item... just for openers.
See how he reacts to a direct contact.
La Bonne Guerre doesnt worry me, Doc.
I can handle scandal sheets.
But Inspector Bonny is behind it.
He filed reports on me May 23rd, June 17th...
and July 1st! Thats this month...
Youre well-informed.
I pay enough...
The Police Fund is an expensive mistress!
Grammont, attack the root of the problem.
And the root is the Laforcade file.
Get it over with, lawyer!
Its dragged on for seven years.
Its been postponed 12 times... fine!
Now get the case dismissed
and the civil suit withdrawn.
Try the statute of limitations.
We know judges and Ministers...
find a solution!
Ive talked to Vricourt,
we have a plan.
Well settle
the civil suit out of court.
I can do it with two million...
But I have to ask some questions...
Ask Dr Mezy!
Thats why I had him come today.
Ive forgotten.
Ive decided to forget!
I am Serge Alexandre,
financier and impresario.
Newspaper and stable owner.
Soon Ill head C.A.G.T.R.I.,
an international trust...
Quoted shares worth 500 million,
government-backed.
So why ask me about
that poor jerk out on bail?
That small-time con man.
Dont mention him to me again!
Get him out of my life, Grammont!
Oh, hes perfectly sincere.
Its a typical case of a split personality.
The person that he was... is someone else!
A phantom that he despises... and fears.
Well, the arrest at Marly
in July 1926 is no dream.
Its rather naive...
It was a routine police operation.
Alex had been hiding
for three months.
A warrant was out for his arrest.
Fraud, receiving stolen goods,
bad checks.
And Alex had been warned.
Hes always had "friends"
in the police.
He had time to escape.
But he wanted to give
a farewell party.
Alex likes parties.
I arrested him at Marly.
Two years later, I ran into him at a caf.
He was out of prison.
Case dismissed, he said.
He agreed to become one of my informers.
He gave me some good tips on swindlers...
forgers and addicts.
It was his world.
The day after Alexs arrest...
his father, a reputable dentist...
committed suicide.
And then there were the women.
This is a police report dated April 1926.
"His means of support are vague".
"Lazy and immoral..."
"he takes advantage of women"
One episode was
a determining factor, I think.
You wont find it in his file.
To understand Alex,
sometimes you must forget files.
You have to dream about him.
And imagine his dreams...
Alex was 16 years old and still in school.
A woman of 30, a semi-professional...
found him attractive and took him away.
She took him to Deauville... and initiated him.
Alex discovered...
the worlds of luxury, gambling and pleasure.
That initiation was decisive.
Not at all, Doc...
Not at all!
That woman didnt initiate me.
My grandfather had seen to that!
My father was serious and fearful...
always worrying about respectability.
But not my grandfather!
When I was singing in a musical...
he came to hear me!
He taught me everything.
I came to invite you to join us.
The auditions are great fun!
Miss Zambaux...
Miss Edith Boreal, please!
What have you prepared for us?
Je taime by Sacha Guitry... Act 5.
The scene between him and her.
Where is "him"?
At the last minute, he stood me up.
You wouldnt like to cue me...?
Am I the type for it?
If the young lady has a copy
of the play, Ill try.
Excellent idea, Baron.
"There! Like magic... you have a house".
"Oh! May I look around...?"
"What is it?"
"Theres linen in the closets... and everything!"
"May I see the dining room?"
"Make yourself at home".
"Its so pretty..."
"Tablecloths and silverware..."
"glasses and dishes!
Its beautiful..."
"I forgot to look in the bathroom".
Ill give you five minutes!
This item will appear in next weeks issue.
It may interest you, Mr Alexandre.
You wrote it.
Read it!
"In Biarritz the other day,
baccarat was played for high stakes".
"Up to 300,000 francs
bet by the professional gamblers."
"Henriet, Garcia, Serge Alexandre".
"Alexandre is Stovosky
of the phony Hungarian bond issue".
Excuse the misspelling.
Typographers are hopeless
about foreign names.
Thats enough!
Casino gossip leaves me cold!
Im covered there..
Ask your friends on the Vice Squad.
And the rest is a lie!
Send him the documentation
on the Hungarian bonds.
And the study made by Judge Vannier...
on behalf of the government.
No, your gossip column doesnt interest me!
But your little publication does.
I have a new company, S.A.P.E.P.
My friend Borelli is in charge.
The idea is to group certain publications...
around a central advertising organization.
Ive already signed up
Cyrano and Le Cri du Jour...
and Im negotiating
with Le Charivari and DArtagnan.
And La Bonne Guerre?
Im at war with La Bonne Guerre!
Your project interests me, of course.
Borelli will give you the details.
Give him something on account!
"Ours will be a love without any story".
"No one else will understand".
"And if a playwright were to decide..."
"to write about our love,
the critics would say..."
"its not a play! Nothing happens."
Miss Erna Wolfgang, please.
I can sing, dance and act.
Im also a trapeze artist...
and I can walk a high-wire.
But I have an accent, as you can hear.
Im Jewish.
Ive just come from Germany.
Since the Nazis took power this year...
its hard for us to live in Germany.
It has never been easy for us to live anywhere.
My last role in Germany was
in a play called Die Manahme.
The police closed the theater.
So, here I am!
I had prepared a monologue
but after seeing that gentleman.
Would you please cue me?
If its not an insult to French genius.
Id like to do a scene
from Giraudouxs Intermezzo
But I need a Specter
Let me do it, Baron!
Playing a specter should suit me
Come on, I have a copy for you
Ive made some cuts...
It starts here
What do I do?
You float behind me
Try to read your role
with feeling, Alex
Im on a bench
Its night...
May we have some night, please?
Make it night
"No... the dead are remarkably agile"
"No, the dead
are remarkably agile..."
"They never stumble into the void"
"They never trip over shadows"
"They never stub their toes
on nothingness"
"And nothing ever lights up
their faces..."
The simplest answer is
that he was insane
Mr Chairman, an ex-convict
should be invisible...
"to understand and enjoy
being immortal"
"They arent!"
"What do you mean?"
"They die, too"
"Strange how races
dont know themselves"
"Indians think they are red,
Negroes think they are white"
"The dead think they are mortal"
There... its finished
Why broadcast that youre Jewish?
Because I am
Not much of an answer,
Miss Wolf-track
Wolfgang means wolf-track
Would you like
a more theatrical answer?
Because when I look at trees,
roses, sky...
I know Im Jewish
I hate races that
dont know themselves...
Jews who think theyre happy...
have equal rights and are safe
Where does it get you?
I can be myself... I can be different
Know what my father said?
Be average, Sacha
Being first makes enemies.
Being last looks bad.
Be average so they forget you
But they dont forget us
- Youre from...?
- Im from Russia
Id like you to be happy
30 seconds to reach the street...
Only 30 seconds
to offer you happiness
Not pleasure...
pleasure takes a lifetime
Not vice-versa?
Thats a common error
Happiness is a single moment...
Sunlight on water...
At best, a long series of moments
Pleasure requires much thought
You need time, leisure...
inventiveness
Pleasure is for the rich!
Who are you...?
All this is mine... my Empire!
I can offer you Paris
Thanks anyway...
I like happiness
You made me lose my head
Did I make too much noise?
"The dear was naked and,
knowing my desire..."
"Wore only her jewels,
to set my heart afire"
"She seemed the victor,
wearing such rich attire..."
"With the secret smile
slaves sometimes acquire"
Another little housewife
looking for a great love
A cultivated provincial... the worst!
Just to be rude, I started with...
"Strip except for the jewel!
I want to look..."
She began gurgling
and quoting Baudelaire
That did it!
Luckily she adores mystery stories
I had a topic of conversation
to hide my lack of desire
The little idiot sold it to me
for a pittance
Her husband is a miser...
She needs money for her escapades
Alex! Ive gone over the accounts...
Its a disaster!
Let me speak, just this once
Then you can do what you want
Well compare figures...
Ready
Racing stables...
3 million francs net loss
You agree?
Empire Theater losses
for one season...
6,237,378 francs...
Well skip the centimes
I never count centimes!
600,000
distributed to scandal sheets
3,500,000 sunk into S.A.P.E.P.
Two million in "fees" to lawyers,
politicians...
ex-generals, ex-police chiefs, etc.
Almost finished!
Gambling losses:
2,250,000 at Biarritz...
Five million at Cannes
22 million francs squandered
in less than two years
Squandered?
No, not squandered... invested!
Money attracts money...
I operate entirely on credit!
Why do I have that credit?
Because I throw money around...
as you call it
If I stop now,
people will get suspicious
Theyll smell trouble
and tear me apart!
But you are in trouble, Alex!
In 60 days you have to go to court
Vricourt can make a deal...
Well settle out of court
Make a deal...!
Where will you get the money
to make a deal?
Cover the Bayonne vouchers
You cant re-pay
the 3 million due last week
Five million more
come due in a month
Fake vouchers! What if they audit?
I know, I need 100 million!
But in October,
CAGTRI will be incorporated
500 million! Ill cover
all the Bayonne vouchers...
And well be solvent!
And till then? The emeralds again?
Something much better...
The Spanish connection!
"Love is blind..."
Montalvo? That polo-playing
parlor conspirator!
The polo player is preparing
a coup dtat
Hes buying arms from Mussolini.
He must have lots of money...
Ill offer my Swiss company
as intermediary for the funds
Your excellency,
gentlemen, friends...
Allow me to welcome you
to the first Board meeting...
of CAGTRI, the International
Construction and Finance Corp.
One question...
One big question haunts the world
How can we end the Depression?
The worlds most
civilized countries...
are on the horns of a dilemma
On the one hand,
stockpiles of unsold merchandise...
on the other,
masses of unemployed workers
What is the cause of this situation?
Let me explain, Mr Chairman...
I wasnt his trusted friend,
as youve called me...
I was his trusted employee
We always knew who was boss
Thats too much!
I was promised that no one
would have access to my file
And yet I saw it on Bonnys desk
Anyway, hes done his worst...
He informed La Bonne Guerre
Hell try something else...
unofficially
I know his plan...
Hes going to Biarritz on vacation.
Hell go to Bayonne for a loan
Hell pawn fake jewels
at the Municipal Loan Office
Did you see Boussaud go out?
Nothing suspicious?
You werent followed?
The Sret Gnrale is a snake pit...
As bad as Police Headquarters!
Vricourts in the legislature...
He ought to get
a Police Reform bill passed!
Know where Bonnys vacationing?
In Biarritz... 5 miles from Bayonne
Hes setting a trap for me...
Using fake jewels as collateral
at the Municipal Loan Office
Then he can investigate officially
Hes not stupid
Lets go wake Arlette...
in Biarritz!
Arent we dining with the Baron?
Well all go!
Ready to roll all night?
Lets buy flowers
Flowers... at 6 AM?
No matter what time it is!
I want a mountain of white flowers
for Arlette
Well drag the florists out of bed...
Lilies, orchids, camelias, roses...
White roses are very pretty
I dreamt it again
I know
The car was rolling on grass
We were together...
Yes... I was in your arms
I heard your voice in my ear
Saying the same words?
The same words... the ermine,
the orchids...
Your voice in my ear...
The car was picking up speed?
Going faster and faster...
plunging down the hill
We went over a cliff
The car took off
in a cloud of white feathers
No... they were snowflakes
My mouth was filled with snow
I couldnt breathe,
couldnt see your face
Snow everywhere...
Theres no snow, Arlette
Theres a July sun shining
Were happy...
Its lovely... Wheres it from?
Yesterday at 10 AM a lady
from Angoulme was wearing it...
in the lobby of the Claridge
At 5 PM, I was in her bed
Plump, smooth-skinned,
wicked... brainless!
At 7 PM,
the necklace was in my pocket
You made her pay you...?
Never! But I got it
for a tenth of its value
The maids will be coming in...
I dont care!
MUNICIPAL LOAN OFFICE
OF BAYONNE
Three million
in unpaid vouchers, Alex...
If a Tax Inspector notices
that the numbers...
dont match my accounts, Im through!
You must reimburse, Alex
The inspector wont notice anything!
Has he noticed anything before?
Relax, Ill send you the money
next week
Watch out for Inspector Bonny!
Thats important...
How does it feel to have squandered
such a fortune?
I feel quite contented, Sacha
Its the only real contentment!
After conquering Europe
for Napoleon...
my family went on to conquer
a financial empire
I dissipated those ill-gotten gains
in one long celebration!
Of course, it took me 40 years
to do it
I envy you
I have to invent
the money I squander
I had nothing
Bank is 10,000 francs, gentlemen...
9 to the bank... Baccarat!
Its time to leave Biarritz
Hows your coup dtat
coming along, Montalvo?
Will Mussolini sell you the arms?
Dont worry, Im silent as a tomb!
Who told you?
No one... You went to Italy
so I guessed why
Youre very quick
Such a huge financial manipulation
requires discretion
Funds safely blocked while
you negotiate...
I happen to have a Swiss company...
and Swiss bank accounts
What a timely offer!
Ive been trying to solve
that problem...
Do you recall that American,
Mrs Winters?
The one who had her face enamelled...
Surely you met her at Monte Carlo
Mirror always in hand,
even in the street!
The other day, it all went to pieces
She couldnt stand the sight
The truth of her age
spilling out of the mask
She slit her wrists...
Please dont tell Sacha about it!
Not today
Its an anniversary
Youre his friend, I can tell you...
Seven years ago...
Sachas father committed suicide
A family matter...
Sacha was away... on a trip
I didnt know! Count on me...
Baron...?
Glad youre here...
Tonight, we celebrate!
Oscar Wilde was right.
Prison is the worst thing in life
No, the worst thing in life...
is death!
Prison is worse than death
How can we judge?
We havent experienced either one
Ive been to prison
You forget I was Chief of Police
I would know, my friend...
You dont know!
No one knows who I am or
what Im capable of!
He caught me stealing gold fillings
from his dental clinic
And he said to me...
"If you dishonor our name,
Ill kill myself
Honor and work...
thats all he ever talked about
Did they honor his name
during the Ukraine pogroms?
But he wanted to forget that
He wanted to be a nice,
respected dentist
If grandfather hadnt laughed
hed have gone to Mass!
Whats worse than a craven father?
But he had the courage
to shoot himself
You must leave,
Ive let you stay too long...
Everything all right? No trouble?
Dont you ever get any mail?
How? To Mr Leon Trotsky,
c/o General Delivery...
St Palais sur Mer? Very discreet!
But Mr Trotsky has many visitors...
English and Belgian politicians...
German refugees, extreme leftists
Naturally...
who else would come here?
I mean theyre active leftists
Im sure you know...
that a condition accepted
by Mr Trotsky...
when he was granted asylum...
was that he not get involved
in French politics
German refugees deal
with German politics
Yes, but theyre doing it in France
They need a German secretary
for a few days
I mentioned you... Youll get it
Ill take you there later
Do you go to the villa often?
Whats it like?
Have you read Dostoyevsky?
Its just like a Dostoyevsky novel!
Trotsky and Natalia...
lead an austere, rich,
fascinating life!
And Malraux came for a visit
I wish I could have been there!
According to Rudolph...
they only discussed art,
movies, Poland...
the Red Army and Christianity!
Will Trotsky succeed?
Can he influence the Party?
Thats the question...
All his activity is aimed
at the Party
To influence the Party,
transform it...
restructure it
Trotsky claims that
Stalin has betrayed the Revolution
But the Party is behind Stalin
So how can Trotsky have
any influence on it?
The Party opposes him
A contradiction...
Then why go on fighting?
Because nothings settled yet
No vacation, Bonny?
And you?
An appointment with the Director
at a beach... on a delicate mission!
I leave for Biarritz tomorrow
Ill mix business and pleasure, too
Chief-Inspector Gardet...
my respects
Chief-Inspector Bonny...
my regards
Borelli? Gauthier here...
Tell Alex the guy came to see me
I recognized him right away,
from the picture
He tried to unload
the fake stones on me
No, of course not
I got rid of him
without letting on Id noticed
I simply said that
the Bayonne Loan Office...
couldnt accept any more jewels
Because wed reached
the limit set by regulation
Doctor, someone wants to come in...
Says hes the patients lawyer
Tell him to wait!
Anyway, weve finished
What does this mean?
You dont need a lawyer here!
Yes I do...
I dont trust your diagnosis!
I know what they do...
Lock up a competitor!
Best way to get rid of him
Naturally I have enemies!
Im trying to reform
the European monetary system
Are they the same enemies
who stole the Eiffel Tower from you?
See? Youre trying to make
me think Im crazy...
I never said they stole
the tower from me!
They stole rights
I had paid a lot for...
The Eiffel Tower
radio station advertising!
But Ill get the Eiffel Tower back
Get dressed, weve finished
I saw your patient in April 1931...
Yes, and your first diagnosis
has certainly been confirmed
Yes, a slowly evolving
general paralysis...
with possible remissions
Hence the persecution complex...
Megalomania...
Well continue your patented
malaria-therapy
If youll step
into the waiting room...
with Mr Staviskys lawyer...
Ill prepare
the necessary certification
Mysterious deaths interest you?
Only the death of Loewenstein,
the banker
He had a financial empire like mine
Does his suicide bother you?
You believe
that fantastic suicide story?
Or that it was accidental?
Disappearing out of a plane window...
over the Channel! So easy to do...
No, it was murder
His competitors got rid of him
You scare me, Alex
Im your doctor and your friend...
You need to take a rest
Leave Borelli and Grammont
in charge
Go away with Arlette
Go away... now?
Ive got CAGTRI all set!
SIMA, S.A.P.E.P.,
la Foncire, Bayonne...
all in hand!
Isnt it too much for one man?
Vricourt is worried...
Is he? Just like Dr Pierre...
It worked, lawyer!
Im mad...
so I cant appear in court tomorrow
But the case isnt dismissed!
No, it isnt
You didnt get me
the two million you promised
Vricourt could have made the deal
Youve had since July
to get the money
You know its been rough, Pierre
Youve spent six million
in Deauville since July!
You just throw your money away,
Sacha
Deliver the envelopes, Laloy
The Board of CAGTRI is waiting, sir
Its true,
I do throw my money away!
Well...?
He wont listen.
Hes sick, Grammont
I dont give a damn if hes sick!
We must neutralize him!
Or well go under with him!
Is it that bad?
He hasnt a cent!
Gentlemen, what is madness?
Its not my place
to define it for you
But theres no doubt
that Alexandre was sick
Very sick...
Your idea for absorbing
unemployment is brilliant
Congratulations!
Mayor, well set the wheels
of economic expansion in motion!
When will the stock
go on the market?
Our basic fund,
the Hungarian bond issue...
is guaranteed by treaty
So the government decides when.
A matter of days...
says the secretary-general
of Foreign Affairs
I congratulate you, too,
but I confess...
I know nothing about
international credit
The Hungarian bonds are
a mystery to me!
No need to understand, Baron.
Just trust me!
But I do trust you, Sacha!
I can only give you five minutes,
Im very busy...
His madness took this form...
He wanted the world
to talk about him...
he should have wanted it
to forget him
I cant buy, Van Straaten...
I should be selling
Just keep them
in a safe place for me
Make the best deal
you can for us both
Lets see the merchandise
No doubt their origin...
is a secret?
Maximum discretion, yes!
A royal Oriental family...
They dont want any publicity
The Rosenkrantz necklace!
It vanished
when the seals were removed...
The heirs are searching for it
Anyone else will have
to wait to dump it
And one stone at a time, even then...
But I can pawn it in London
Its risky, Mr Van Straaten
So Ill keep the proceeds
You wont get a commission
this time
Go to London tomorrow
My birthday...
Will I get much?
With a million, I can hold out
See? Im still lucky...
I must see you, Mr Alexandre!
On business...
Ive invented a revolutionary
medical apparatus...
for examining pregnant women
The childs sex and health
can be determined
I call it a Matriscope
It works... its ready to go!
I thought you might like
the exclusive distribution rights
How much do you need to start?
Maybe 10,000 francs...
10,000 francs? Thats ridiculous!
How do you expect
to inspire confidence?
If the Matriscope works,
its worth millions!
If not, your story
still has to be credible
10,000 francs is... incredible!
Stop bothering Mr Alexandre
Nice name, Matriscope... I accept!
Ill teach you
how to start a business...
A charming place...
Is Sacha thinking of buying it?
It was here that Sachas father...
Shouldnt I go find him?
Let him be alone...
Thats what he wants
Im glad youre back
from Rome, Montalvo
I wanted you here
for my husbands birthday
Were going for a little walk
The funds will be
in your Swiss account by Christmas
May I ask how much of your money...
Ill be holding?
One million pounds sterling
For a coup dtat?
Thats enough for a civil war!
Why not?
Im getting old, Baron
What a party we had at the Empire
for my last birthday...
Remember?
I have no zest for anything...
Dont I look like a shopkeeper,
taking his wife out...?
Not you, Sacha... Never!
Yes, yes! Like a little shopkeeper...
Id have a jewelry store...
at a posh resort
Why not?
At dusk, Id stand in my doorway...
and no one would guess
that I once was Alexander the Great!
Am I wrong?
Sacha,
its that little German actress...
Dont you remember?
You read with her...
You were the Specter
in Giraudouxs Intermezzo
Hes allowed to reside in Barbizon...
so Trotskys feeling better.
Hes working again
Know what he says?
With the forest so close...
and working
with Communist League groups...
reminds him of Russia
when he was young
When everything seemed possible...
you had only to invent it
But sometimes he gets discouraged
The other day he suddenly said...
"Old age is
the most unexpected thing..."
"that ever happens to man"
Thats a happy thought!
Exile is never happy!
Whenever I think
about this sad story...
its as though
everyone wore masks
Like Sacha:
Alexandre-of-the-thousand-names...
And I always think
of that day in November 1933
Why does it haunt me?
Perhaps because on that day...
I had a premonition
of Alexandres end
And yet, you had to know us
in those years...
to know the real joy of living!
We were all Alexandres age...
we basked in Arlettes beauty
Its so painful
to imagine her today...
in the sordid world of a prison
Her beauty warmed our hearts
There is a store
in Biarritz, gentlemen...
whose name symbolizes
that period for me...
Biarritz-Bonheur...
Biarritz happiness
I must remind the witness
of where he is!
This Parliamentary Committee
is investigating...
a scandal that resulted
in rioting and death on Feb. 6th...
leading France
to the brink of civil war
Your testimony has certainly
been colorful...
but what about the sordid aspects?
This is the truth as I know it
You say you are telling the truth
I remind you that
you have sworn to do so
Now permit us
to ask you some questions
You first met Alexandre at
the Biarritz Casino in April 1931...
You met him at the Casino...
Hadnt you ever heard
that he was indexed?
Banned from every Casino in France
at the time?
Never, sir!
And I find it hard to believe,
even today
Because for over two years
I saw him...
in Cannes, Biarritz, Deauville...
The Casino inspectors
all greeted him cordially
I saw Alexandre play baccarat...
with well-known businessmen
and politicians
They treated him as an equal!
Thats why its hard to believe!
That was in April 1931...
Exactly when he started...
the Bayonne Loan Office operation...
flooding France with fake vouchers
Did you know about it?
Nothing at all
I first heard about it
three months ago...
when the scandal erupted
Try to understand, gentlemen
Life isnt like the theater
On stage, we see everything
But Im like Fabrice at Waterloo
in Stendhals novel...
I only know one small piece
of this Chinese puzzle
Mr Raoul, we cant finish
with your testimony today
We will notify you
when to appear again
Inspector Gardet
TROTSKY SHOULD NOT BE SENTO CORSICA
The agitator Trotsky
resides only 40 miles from Paris
Staviskian crooks have a free hand
Bolshevik rabble do as they please
It is time for the Government...
to mop up this international scum
What was the date?
The end of November 1933
I was summoned by the Director
of the Bureau of Investigation
I had been an another case
He handed me a note...
"Serge Alexandre,
28 Place St Georges..."
"C.A.G.T.R.I."
"Urgent that you investigate
this individual..."
"per request
of Foreign Affairs Minister"
I started with the Files section
of our division
I established that Serge Alexandre
was Stavisky
Yes, Handsome Sacha!
Hes called Serge Alexandre now?
"Alexandre, Serge... see Stavisky"
"Alexandre-Sacha,
also known as Alex,
Jean Sacha, Doisy de Monty..."
"and Victor Boitel,
born November 20, 1886 at Sobodka..."
"State of Kiev, Russia"
Which section has his file?
No section!
Its a very special file...
Its kept locked up
Takes an OK from the
Assistant Director to look at it
Youre in for a lot
of surprises, Inspector!
I went in search of the file...
Finally I was told: "Bonny has it"
I went to see Chief-Inspector Bonny
He had the file
I told him Foreign Affairs
wanted a report
Bonny knew the file well
He showed me a 1926 police report
Alexandre was already described
as a crook...
a typical confidence man
Did Inspector Bonny tell you
why he had the file?
Didnt you ask him?
No, I had no particular reason
to be interested
Why are you so interested
in this file, Bonny?
Or rather... against whom
do you want to use the information?
That depends on the next elections...
If the Right wins, this files
implicates the Radical-Socialists
But if the Radicals stay in office...
two Chiefs, Sret and Police,
are mine!
I can sink them...
Theyre in it up to their necks
Like Alexandre, Im hedging my bets
Watch out, Bonny...
youre not invulnerable
Bonny must have made a report, too
But I never heard about it.
I went...
to 28 Place St Georges...
I learned that Borelli
was probably...
the director of C.A.G.T.R.I.
I also found out who
the Board members were
Was Baron Raoul...
on the Board of Directors?
Yes he was
Then I went to the Claridge...
to see if Stavisky still lived there
I returned to the Sret...
I turned in my report there
I took a copy to Mr de la Salle...
at Foreign Affairs
And my mission ended there
So on November 22, 1933,
the Foreign Affairs office...
was fully informed
as to Alexandres character?
Thats right, sir
Was any action taken on your report?
I dont know...
No legal action, at any rate
Thats the last I heard of it
La Salle! What a surprise...
Lets say that Im here...
unofficially
May I come in?
Its Sunday... the servants are off
And the furnace has broken down
So it would be best
if you quit the Board
The Government isnt going
to guarantee...
the Hungarian bonds for CAGTRI
Please dont explain it to me...
I wont understand.
I only accepted out of friendship
You should choose your friends
more wisely!
I repeat:
Alexandre is not respectable
Hes not even French...
He has no fixed abode
So Im not even French!
No fixed abode!
If you dont live
in a century-old family mansion...
youre a gypsy!
My voters registration...
Army discharge...
I want you to look at them!
Then tell Mr de la Salle...
Do you want to check
my police record?
Im embarrassed, Sacha...
But dont you need
the Government guarantee?
Ill see the Minister!
Vricourts a friend of his...
These voucher numbers are missing...
Why?
Because the vouchers are fakes!
So you must have faked them!
If I were you, Mr Tax Inspector,
Id forget it
The scandals too big,
itll crush you...
Todays Friday,
Sunday is Christmas...
Think it over...
Go see the Deputy-Mayor
Look at the elections in Spain!
We need a National Bloc
to rule without parliament...
supported by professional people
Men of integrity, veteran soldiers,
in all the key posts!
Thats what the play
were seeing tonight is about
Did Shakespeare support
the National Bloc?
Is he one of your Rightist friends?
All right, Sacha, have your fun
But Coriolanus really is
a violent attack...
on parliamentary government
Arlette,
that white ermine is ravishing!
You herald winters
immaculate snows...
I go to Madrid tomorrow,
the deal is closed
The million pounds will
be deposited by next week
"No, take more!
There where worship is double..."
"There where gentry,
title, wisdom..."
"cannot conclude..."
"but by the Yea and No
of general ignorance..."
"There, necessities give way
to slightness"
"There... disorder reigns!"
"The multitudinous tongue
mangles true judgment"
"The State is bereaved of integrity"
"Nothing is done to purpose"
"The State must needs collapse"
"You patricians and senators
who love Rome..."
Bayonne is finished...
Gauthiers in jail
He talked?
Hell name you sooner or later
Meet Grammont and Vricourt
at the Empire later
Avoid the Claridge
Burn the papers at the office
Ill try to find Inspector Boussaud
"Abolish the peoples Tribunes!"
You have 3 days...
thanks to the Christmas Holidays
He must go!
If we keep the lid on,
hes had a vacation
If not... its safer
Here, he might be indiscreet...
Ill get him out of Paris
Where to?
An employees place near Chamonix
His names Laloy,
Alexandres office messenger
He can be convinced...
Hes had trouble with the law
Youve known Alexandre longest...
What will he do?
I hardly know Serge Alexandre
I know Stavisky...
A small-time crook,
a charming con man...
one of my informers
Good at laundering money...
Stavisky would leave with Arlette
Hed start all over
But Alexandre? I just dont know...
This is mostly your own fault
I warned you...
Lately youve mismanaged everything
You threw money away!
I threw it away on all of you!
Wheres Vricourt?
The honorable Deputy!
I financed his whole campaign
last year...
Hes my deputy!
Is he letting me down?
Were all going to let you down, Alex
We wont know you any more
Well say we saw you once,
in a restaurant...
Know what else well say?
That its really not
very surprising...
You should never trust foreigners...
refugees...
Jews
Isnt that right, Baron?
Im your friend, Sacha,
no matter what happens
But you lied to me
A pity!
Anyone here?
Over here, Mr Vricourt
Its finished, Alexandre
The shows over...
Be in Chamonix in three days
Wait for instructions
If I stay here,
I can turn the tide in a week...
Ill have a million pounds
In a week every cop in France...
will be after you!
How can they come after me?
Ive wined, dined and bribed them
Had them on Boards of Directors...
They wouldnt dare!
My names Alexandre...
Im not a mute,
I can tell what I know!
Im terribly sorry, Arlette
Its Christmas...
the potential customers are away
In Monte Carlo, St Moritz...
Ill bring you the balance
in a few days
So Alexander the Great ends
the way little Sacha began...
Letting women get him out of trouble
Hes just getting even with me
I stung him on the Rosenkrantz jewels
Dont leave me, Sacha!
Lets go away together.
Venezuela... anywhere!
Sure, Venezuela!
Well open a French restaurant...
Or a dress shop: Au Chic Parisien
Or Ill peddle your charms...
If we stay together, were safe
Well be together soon,
Vricourt promised to fix it
The cars ready, Alex
Whats that?
Mr Alexandres carnations
If he ever comes back here,
hell wear handcuffs, not carnations!
Happy? Your time has finally come
But remember, Bonny...
For your own sake,
proceed with caution
You know the rules...
The Stavisky scandal
only incriminates the Republic
The comrades Republic is corrupt
You can smear the Deputies,
the Cabinet members...
the Left Coalition Ministers...
But leave us out of it!
But the Chief of Police is part of it
So what can I do?
Whatever you want, Bonny!
But if you involve the Police
or the Sret, well break you!
On January 18th,
the Assistant Director sent for me
By order of the Director,
I was to drop the case
January 24th, I was suspended
So January 12th you report...
Police Chief Chiappes
connection with Stavisky
The 18th, you are warned...
The 24th, you are suspended
Thats right, sir
So the Police Chief s name
in a Sret report...
is cause for suspension
No comment...
Youll have to wait, Baron...
Ex-Inspector Bonny is testifying
WAITING FOR MR TROTSKY TO LEAVE
Until another country
grants Mr Trotsky a visa...
he is ordered to move
at least 200 miles from Paris
In view of the Feb. 6th riots...
the Government wishes
to reduce tensions
Your proximity to Paris...
goads both Right and Left extremists
I am to accompany you
Theyre going to deport Trotsky
Just when France must fight
against fascism
Trotsky wont be here...
The Left will splinter without him
And to think that
its all Staviskys fault!
I dont see that
No Stavisky... no February 6th
No fascist riots forcing
Daladier to resign...
no National Union government
No National Union...
no deportation of Trotsky
Therefore, without Stavisky...
You knew your husbands
psychology well...
Was he likely to commit suicide?
He had periods of depression
Long periods, sometimes...
So you did not find
the idea of suicide incredible?
It was a possibility?
When I went to Chamonix,
I was sure it was suicide
Now, there have been
so many rumors...
Im not sure any more
But they separated us...
They destroyed his will to live!
Its me, boss
Got a cake... Wholl be King?
Its Twelfth-night
Those pious hypocrites!
La Libert...
That "liberty" cost me plenty!
My checks didnt hurt their scruples
Thats life,
Mr Alexandre... not very pretty
Go and get tickets to Paris
Paris means prison, Mr Alexandre!
Isnt this a prison?
Well take the night train
Tomorrow morning,
Ill hold a press conference
Im going to blow
the whole mess wide open!
Ill broadcast from the Eiffel Tower!
All France will be listening
But Mr Vricourt...
Well see what Mr Vricourt
has to say!
The Ministers office?
Ah, its you! Vricourt here...
Yes, I have the information...
Its Chamonix
The telephone number is 319
If he thinks its hopeless,
he just might shoot himself
Yes... it runs in the family,
as you say!
Yes, hes armed, of course
Goodbye...
My respects to the Minister
I was in a worse spot than this...
when I invented
the Bayonne vouchers!
I never have understood
how that worked...
Nothing to it
We duplicated vouchers...
Say theres a real one
for 100 francs...
Wed use the duplicate...
same number, signed and stamped
But with a higher figure.
20,000 francs... 100,000... a million!
We were minting money.
I was the State!
I have to go down to the Village.
To get the train tickets.
BAYONNE MUNICIPAL LOAN OFFICE
SCANDAL
DOMINATED BY STAVISKY CASE
STAVISKY TRACKED DOWN
IN CHAMONIX, SHOOTS HIMSELF
GOVERNMENGETS RID OF STAVISKY,
HAS HIM SHOT IN CHAMONIX
STAVISKY SUICIDE...
SHOT POINT-BLANK
STAVISKYS MYSTERIOUS SUICIDE
ADDS TO SCANDAL
Arlette in prison...
So many guilty ones free...
Thats the real scandal!
Theyll hold her till the trial...
to keep her from talking.
They think she knows
Alexandres secrets
Alexandres only real secret was her.
Arlette...
What I like about death...
is the lethargy.
That dense and sluggish fluidity
of death...
which means that there are no dead...
only the drowned.
What are you saying?
Its the Specter, in Giraudouxs Intermezzo.
Alexandres finest role.
Imagine how hed laugh to see...
the passions,
deaths and hatreds hes unleashed.
I understood too late.
Stavisky was the herald of death.
Not only his own.
Not only those in February.
But the death of an era!