Par la fenêtre (1948)
Directed by Gilles Grangier

Film Review

By the time he came to star in this, his third credited film, André Raimbourg, alias Bourvil, was well on the way to becoming one of France's most popular entertainers, but it would be some years yet before he would be allowed to deviate from his country bumpkin persona.  So, yet again, Bourvil plays the likeable girl-shy goon, this time gainfully employed as an exterior decorator, which instantly calls to mind his appearance in his best known film, La Grande vadrouille (1966).  Par la fenêtre (1948) was directed (apparently whilst in the deepest of comas) by Gilles Grangier, who would later direct Bourvil in two far more superior comedies, Poisson d'avril (1954) and La Cuisine au beurre (1963).  Suzy Delair, one of the most vivacious French actresses of her generation, is totally wasted in this dreary comedy, which is only just about kept alive by its lead actor's bumbling mishaps.  Bourvil stumbles through this comedy like a drunk down a blind alley, and he only really comes into own when he gets to sing the film's one musical number, La Rumba du pinceau.  Par la fenêtre surely rates as one of Grangier's dullest films, and you shudder to think how much worse it might have been without its two scintillating lead actors.

Film Synopsis

In Paris, Pilou is an exterior decorator who always sings while he works.  He sings even though he is sad at having left his girlfriend Yvette in the village where he grew up.  To pass the time, Pilou looks through the windows of the different apartments of the building he is painting.  One day, he saves the life of Fernande.  She wanted to kill herself after being abandoned by her lover, Albert, who has started an affair with Renée.  Having become friends, Pilou tells Fernande that he will bring Albert back to her.  In another apartment lives Paul, an artist who is very much in love with Renée.  He makes his living painting panels for a certain Sabourdat, who passes off Paul's work as his own.  Pilou has a wonderful idea to save Fernande and Paul's futures...