The Devil by the Tail (1969) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

An impoverished château hotel faces comic household disorder and an escalating police search connected to a robbery gang.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

A Hotel on the Brink

The château hotel struggles with poor finances, few guests, and disagreements over how to keep the business alive. The household considers selling jewels and discusses turning the old house into an inn.

Key Events

• The Château Hotel Struggles — Amélie serves the few guests while the household argues over the failing business. Characters: Amélie, baronne de Coustines, Le comte Georges, La comtesse Diane Location: Château hotel
• The Family Debates Selling Jewels — The family considers selling jewels amid severe financial trouble. Characters: Le comte Georges, La comtesse Diane, Amélie, baronne de Coustines Location: Château hotel
• The Inn Proposal — Amélie's mother hopes to attract visitors by turning the old house into an inn. Characters: Amélie, baronne de Coustines, Le comte Georges Location: Château hotel
• Household Disagreements Grow — Family disagreements and Monsieur Patin's absorption in reading add to the tense atmosphere. Characters: Monsieur Patin, Le comte Georges, Amélie, baronne de Coustines Location: Château hotel
• Noble Guests Join the Schemes — Diane and Georges become caught up in the household's schemes and flirtations. Characters: La comtesse Diane, Le comte Georges Location: Château hotel

Unexpected Guests and Mishaps

Bad weather brings the Passereau family to the hotel after their car breaks down. Charly is called to work on the car, while a rat interrupts a poker game and a falling chandelier strikes Jean-Jacques.

Key Events

• A Car Breaks Down — Bad weather leaves the Passereau family's car broken down and brings them to the hotel. Characters: Madame Passereau, Monsieur Passereau Location: Road near the château
• The Passereaus Arrive — The household finds ways to accommodate the newly arrived Passereau family. Characters: Madame Passereau, Monsieur Passereau, Amélie, baronne de Coustines Location: Château hotel
• Charly Works on the Car — Charly is called to repair the large American car, drawing him into the hotel's romantic complications. Characters: Charly - le garagiste, Amélie, baronne de Coustines Location: Château hotel
• The Poker Game Is Interrupted — A rat interrupts a poker game among the château's guests and residents. Characters: Jean-Jacques Leroy-Martin, le "play-boy", Le comte Georges Location: Château hotel
• The Chandelier Falls — A chandelier crashes down on Jean-Jacques, who survives the accident. Characters: Jean-Jacques Leroy-Martin, le "play-boy", Amélie, baronne de Coustines Location: Château hotel

The Police Investigation

Police recover a getaway car from a pool with two bodies inside, but the robbery gang's leader is missing. A bill connects the hotel to the gang and brings the commissaire's investigation to the château.

Key Events

• The Getaway Car Is Found — Police recover a getaway car from a pool with two bodies inside. Characters: Le commissaire Location: Pool
• The Gang Leader Is Missing — The robbery gang's leader is missing, and authorities believe he remains nearby because roads are blocked. Characters: Le commissaire Location: Area near the château
• A Bill Links the Hotel — A bill found in the car links the hotel to the gang and prompts police questioning. Characters: Le commissaire, Amélie, baronne de Coustines Location: Château hotel

An Unfinished Search

Amélie is accused of lying about seeing the suspects as the police search for the missing man. The available account ends with the household trying to find him and does not disclose the investigation's outcome.

Key Events

• Amélie Faces Accusation — Amélie is accused of lying about having seen the suspects. Characters: Le commissaire, Amélie, baronne de Coustines Location: Château hotel
• The Search Remains Unresolved — The search for the missing man continues as the family tries to find him; the available account gives no resolution. Characters: Le commissaire, Amélie, baronne de Coustines, Le comte Georges, La comtesse Diane Location: Château hotel

Story Breakdown

• The Failing Hotel — The household struggles to keep its château business alive amid scarce guests and financial strain.
  • Empty Guest Rooms — The hotel has had only one paying guest for months.
  • Jewels and Finances — The family debates selling jewels to address its poor finances.
• The Inn Proposal — The household considers changing how the old château attracts visitors.
  • Attracting Visitors — Amélie's mother hopes that turning the house into an inn will bring guests.
  • Household Resentment — Other family members resent the proposed change.
• Schemes and Flirtations — The residents' plans and personal entanglements contribute to the hotel's eccentric atmosphere.
  • Diane and Georges — The two are caught up in the family's schemes and flirtations.
  • Charly and Amélie — Charly is in love with Amélie and becomes involved in the hotel's complications.
• The Stranded Family — A car breakdown in bad weather brings the Passereau family to the château.
  • Bad Weather Breakdown — The Passereaus' car breaks down, leading them to seek accommodation.
  • Hotel Accommodation — The household finds ways to accommodate the arriving family.
• Comic Hotel Chaos — A series of mishaps deepens confusion among the guests and residents.
  • Rat at Poker — A rat interrupts a poker game.
  • Falling Chandelier — A chandelier crashes down on Jean-Jacques, who survives.
• The Robbery Investigation — Police evidence connects the hotel to a robbery gang while its leader remains missing.
  • Bodies in the Car — Police recover a getaway car from a pool with two bodies inside.
  • Bill Links the Hotel — A bill found in the car prompts questioning at the château.
• The Unresolved Search — The police investigation continues without a disclosed resolution in the available account.
  • Amélie Under Suspicion — Amélie is accused of lying about seeing the suspects.
  • Missing Man Search — The residents try to find the missing gang leader as the search continues.

Directed by

Philippe de Broca

Key Cast

• Yves Montand — Le baron César Maricorne
• Madeleine Renaud — La marquise
• Maria Schell — La comtesse Diane
• Jean Rochefort — Le comte Georges
• Jean-Pierre Marielle — Jean-Jacques Leroy-Martin, le "play-boy"