Break the News (1938)
Directed by René Clair

Film Synopsis

In a moment of caprice, the female star at a London music hall insists that two actors, a Frenchman named François and an Englishman named Teddy, be struck from the bill.   Naturally, the two men are mortified when they learn they are to be thrown back into obscurity and they agree that what they must do is to fabricate a scandal that will make them both famous.  They hit upon the idea of simulating a crime.  François will broadcast to the world that he has killed Teddy, whilst Teddy disappears for a short time, to return only when his friend is about to be convicted for his murder.  The pretext for the crime is easily found: the two men are obviously rivals for the star of the show.  The scheme goes well until Teddy meets a spy who mistakes him for a Balkan general...