In an attempt to boost his then-flagging career, comedian
Buster Keaton starred in the 1935 French production Le Roi de Champs Elysses (released in the U.S. as Champ of the Champs Elysees). Keaton plays a dual role as fugitive American gangster Buster Garner and his look-alike, a hapless Parisian publicist named Jim LeBalafre who's been fired from his job for handing out authentic French francs instead of banknote-shaped advertising flyers. The inevitable occurs when LeBalafre is mistaken for Garner, and his phony francs are mixed up with the genuine article. At the end of the film, the "Great Stone Face" breaks into an uncharacteristic wide smile, much to the delight of casual fans but to the dismay of dyed-in-the-wool Keaton aficionados. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide