Overview

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.

Top Cast

Marcelle Romee

Coeur de Lilas

André Luguet

André Lucot

Fréhel

La Douleur

Jean Gabin

Martousse

L

Lydie Villars

La Crevette

F

Fordyce

Mme Darny

Marcel Delaître

Mr Darny

Georges Paulais

le juge d'instruction

Paul Amiot

Merlu

Fernandel

le garçon d'honneur

Madeleine Guitty

Mme. Charignoul

C

Carlotta Conti

Mme. Novion