Paris-Beguin (1931)

Synopsis
Paris Beguin finds Parisian cinema star Jean Gabin playing a familiar role, that of the martyred criminal with a golden heart. A burglar by profession, Jean forces his way into an apartment one night. While he's ransacking the joint, the resident unexpectedly returns. It turns out to be a nightclub singer Jane Diamand, and in a wonderful scene they move from cagey opponents to one-time lovers. On the following day, Jean is arrested by the police for a murder, one that he did not commit. Jane graciously supplies him with an alibi but is forced to say that Jean spent the night with her maid. This gets back to Jean's longtime girlfriend, who, in an act apropos jealousy, takes out a contract on Jean with the real killers. Jean runs, but they eventually catch up with him and he dies held in Jane's arms. Paris Beguin is a dark atmospheric crime film typical of this period of French B movie production. ~ Brian Whitener, All Movie Guide