Action Man (1967) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Denis turns knowledge of a payroll collection into a robbery plan, then faces growing police pressure and Luigi's demand for the proceeds.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Payroll Opportunity

Denis and Betty handle the daily business routine before Denis learns that a soldiers' payroll will be transported before the bank opens. He studies how the collection is carried out.

Key Events

• Business Routine — Denis and Betty handle accounts, bills, and complaints about a delayed beer delivery. Characters: Denis Ferrand, Betty Location: Denis's business
• Payroll Transport Discovered — Denis learns that soldiers' payroll will be transported before the bank opens. Characters: Denis Ferrand Location: Denis's business
• Collection Routine Studied — Denis studies the small packets and the watchman's role in the collection. Characters: Denis Ferrand Location: Near the bank

A Fugitive at Home

Denis hides Ange, whom he once helped, and tells him to remain out of sight. At the same time, Denis turns his attention to exploiting the payroll collection.

Key Events

• Ange Hidden at Home — Denis hides fugitive Ange and presents him as an American cousin. Characters: Denis Ferrand, Ange Peresi Location: Denis's home
• Ange Told to Hide — Denis warns Ange to stay out of sight because people are searching for him. Characters: Denis Ferrand, Ange Peresi Location: Denis's home
• Robbery Procedures Discussed — Denis discusses the collection timing and procedures with Maurice and Goulette. Characters: Denis Ferrand, Maurice Labrousse, Mr. Charles Goulette Location: Unspecified meeting place

Preparing the Cover

Denis discusses the collection with Maurice and Goulette, while the group prepares disguises and a rubbish-based cover. They also take precautions against leaving fingerprints.

Key Events

• Gaston Encouraged — Gaston is given drink and told the coming night is a chance to celebrate. Characters: Gaston Location: Unspecified
• Disguises Prepared — The group prepares disguises for the payroll operation. Characters: Denis Ferrand, Maurice Labrousse, Mr. Charles Goulette, Accomplice Location: Unspecified
• Rubbish Cover Arranged — The plan uses rubbish movement and directs a watchman to leave with the trash carriers. Characters: Denis Ferrand, Gaston, Maurice Labrousse, Mr. Charles Goulette, Accomplice Location: Along the collection route
• Fingerprint Precautions — The group takes precautions to avoid leaving fingerprints. Characters: Denis Ferrand, Maurice Labrousse, Mr. Charles Goulette, Accomplice Location: Unspecified

Robbery and Police Pressure

The account implies the payroll robbery has occurred, though it does not show the precise sequence. Reports about emptied bins and a police search make Denis and his associates fear exposure.

Key Events

• Payroll Robbery Implied — The dialogue suggests the robbery is carried out, but its sequence is not shown clearly. Characters: Denis Ferrand, Maurice Labrousse, Mr. Charles Goulette, Accomplice Location: Payroll collection route
• Empty Bins Discovered — Reports reveal that rubbish bins along the route had already been emptied. Location: Along the robbery route
• Police Search Garage — Investigators question people and search a garage as the inquiry develops. Location: A garage
• Associates Fear Exposure — Denis and his associates worry that the police are closing in and try to warn him. Characters: Denis Ferrand, Maurice Labrousse, Mr. Charles Goulette, Accomplice Location: Unspecified

Luigi's Threat

Denis's associates try to warn him while Luigi's knowledge of the haul comes to light. Luigi demands the proceeds in exchange for returning a package, but the excerpt ends before the outcome.

Key Events

• Associates Fear Exposure — Denis and his associates worry that the police are closing in and try to warn him. Characters: Denis Ferrand, Maurice Labrousse, Mr. Charles Goulette, Accomplice Location: Unspecified
• Luigi Knows the Haul — A caller reveals that Luigi knows about the previous night's proceeds. Characters: Denis Ferrand, Luigi Savani Location: Telephone conversation
• Luigi Demands the Money — Luigi demands all the money and withholds a package; the excerpt ends before the outcome. Characters: Denis Ferrand, Luigi Savani Location: Telephone conversation

Story Breakdown

• Daily Business — Denis and Betty manage ordinary business concerns before the payroll opportunity emerges.
  • Accounts And Bills — Denis and Betty handle bookkeeping and bills.
  • Delayed Beer Delivery — The business faces complaints about a late beer delivery.
• Payroll Opportunity — Denis learns about the soldiers' payroll transport and studies its procedures.
  • Early Transport — Denis learns the payroll moves before the bank opens.
  • Collection Routine — He studies the packets and the watchman's role.
• Ange In Hiding — Denis shelters Ange while trying to keep him out of sight.
  • American Cousin Cover — Denis presents Ange as an American cousin.
  • Stay Out Of Sight — Denis warns Ange that people are searching for him.
• Robbery Planning — Denis and his associates discuss how to exploit the payroll collection.
  • Procedure Discussions — Denis discusses timing and procedures with Maurice and Goulette.
  • Gaston Encouraged — Gaston is given drink and told the coming night is a chance to celebrate.
• Rubbish Disguise — The group prepares disguises and a rubbish-based cover while trying to avoid evidence.
  • Watchman Leaves — A watchman is instructed to leave with the men carrying trash.
  • Avoid Fingerprints — The group takes precautions against leaving fingerprints.
• Robbery Aftermath — The robbery is implied, and signs along the route draw attention to the operation.
  • Haul Taken — The dialogue suggests the robbery was carried out, though the sequence is not fully shown.
  • Empty Bins Reported — Reports reveal that bins along the route had already been emptied.
• Police Pressure — Investigators question people and search a garage as Denis's group worries about being caught.
  • Garage Search — Investigators search a garage during their inquiry.
  • Warning Denis — The associates try to warn Denis while fearing the police are closing in.
• Luigi's Blackmail — Luigi uses his knowledge of the haul to demand the money, leaving the outcome unresolved.
  • Knowledge Revealed — A caller reveals that Luigi knows about the previous night's haul.
  • Package Withheld — Luigi demands the proceeds and says he will return a package only after receiving them.

Directed by

Jean Delannoy

Key Cast

• Jean Gabin — Denis Ferrand
• Robert Stack — Jim Beckley
• Margaret Lee — Betty
• Jean Topart — Monsieur Henri
• Walter Giller — Maurice Labrousse