dir. Henri Verneuil
The film was an adaptation of John Trinian’s novel which was set in San Francisco and the Bay Area. The French filmmakers instead opted for Paris and the sunny glamour of Cannes. The movie paired the screen legend Jean Gabin with the rising young star Alain Delon. The filming began in late October of 1962 and wrapped up two months later. The movie became the sixth highest grossing film of 1963 in France.
Many thanks to Lois for sharing her Paris pictures with me.
A taxi drops off Charles (Jean Gabin) in front the Gard du Nord, Place Napoléon III, Paris, France where he takes a train to Sarcelles, a northeastern suburb of Paris.
Having arrived in Sarcelles he’s stunned by how much it has changed since he was in prison – Avenue Paul Valéry, Sarcelles, Val-d'Oise, France.
The same view on a vintage post card:
And now:
Charles find his house untouched by modernity – 97 Rue Parmentier, Pierrefitte-sur-Seine, France.
Francis (Alain Delon) comes out of his apartment – Villa Dancourt, 106 boulevard de Rochechouart, Paris, France.
He goes past a movie theater – Le Montmartre-Ciné, 114 boulevard de Rochechouart, Paris, France. The theater closed in 1975 and was incorporated into La Cigale, located next door.
He passes another movie theater – La Cigale, 120 boulevard de Rochechouart, Paris, France.
The movie theater closed in 1986 and became a concert venue.
Francis is going to Louis’ auto repair shop – Cité du Midi off Boulevard de Clichy, Paris, France.
Francis arrives in Cannes – Boulevard de la Croisette.
He drives past the old Palais des Festivals – 54-55 Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes, France.
Inaugurated in 1947, it hosted the Festival for 33 years. The building was demolished in 1979. The JW Marriott Cannes stands there now.
Francis checks into a hotel – Le Marly, 106 Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes, France. It’s not really across the road from the casino as the film implies. These buildings are several blocks apart, and the casino can’t be seen from the hotel windows.
The casino – Palm Beach, Place Franklin Roosevelt, Cannes, France. The casino complex is undergoing a renovation.
They plan to re-install a swimming pool but it’s not there yet.
Charles arrives at his hotel – Hotel Barrière Le Majestic, 10 Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes, France. Built in 1926, it is a traditional hotel for movie stars attending the Cannes Festival. Two floors were added to the top of the building in 1965 and in 1990 the façades were rebuilt uniformly in their original art deco style. The hotel also appeared in Ronin (1998) with Robert De Niro and Natasha McElhone.
Francis is waiting for Brigitte (Claire Marlier) at the back entrance of the casino.
Francis takes Brigitte to dinner at a restaurant that looks very much like a studio backlot.
The wooden pier where Francis tries to hide the bag with the heist money is no longer there.
Actually there is one but it points in a different direction.
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