Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases
The Blackmail Scheme
Christian demands a raise and reveals his theft, blackmailing Bertrand into giving him a promotion and position as vice-president.
Key Events
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Raise Demand — Christian demands 100% salary increase Characters: Christian Martin, Bertrand Barnier
Location: Barnier's Office
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Blackmail Revelation — Christian reveals 60M franc theft Characters: Christian Martin, Bertrand Barnier
Location: Barnier's Office
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Promotion Agreement — Bertrand agrees to raise and promotion Characters: Christian Martin, Bertrand Barnier
Location: Barnier's Office
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Fake Engagement — Christian reveals fake engagement to Colette Characters: Christian Martin, Bertrand Barnier
Location: Barnier's Office
Deception and Romance
Christian pretends to love Colette, while Colette lies to her father about being pregnant to get approval for the marriage.
Key Events
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Jewelry Conversion — Christian reveals money converted to jewelry Characters: Christian Martin, Bertrand Barnier
Location: Barnier's Office
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Pregnancy Lie — Colette lies about pregnancy to get approval Characters: Colette Barnier, Bernadette, Bertrand Barnier
Location: Barnier's Home
Revelations and Complications
Jacqueline reveals her deception, Colette's true love for Oscar is exposed, and Christian and Jacqueline break up.
Key Events
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Identity Revelation — Jacqueline reveals fake identity Characters: Jacqueline Bouillotte, Bertrand Barnier
Location: Barnier's Home
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True Love Exposure — Bertrand learns Colette loves Oscar Characters: Bertrand Barnier, Colette Barnier
Location: Barnier's Home
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Breakup — Christian and Jacqueline break up Characters: Christian Martin, Jacqueline Bouillotte
Location: Barnier's Home
Suitcase Confusion
The mix-up with the suitcases containing jewelry and clothes creates chaos as multiple characters exchange the wrong suitcases.
Key Events
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Suitcase Mix-up — Bernadette takes wrong suitcase Characters: Bernadette, Bertrand Barnier
Location: Barnier's Home
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Empty Suitcase — Philippe finds clothes instead of jewelry Characters: Philippe Dubois, Bertrand Barnier
Location: Barnier's Home
Double Cross and Final Revelations
Christian's second theft is revealed, Jacqueline's true parentage is exposed, and the final chaotic chase ensues.
Key Events
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Second Blackmail — Christian reveals second theft Characters: Christian Martin, Bertrand Barnier
Location: Barnier's Office
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Wrong Suitcase Exchange — Suitcases exchanged again Characters: Bernadette, Bertrand Barnier
Location: Barnier's Home
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Parentage Revelation — Charlotte reveals Jacqueline is Bertrand's daughter Characters: Charlotte, Bertrand Barnier, Jacqueline Bouillotte
Location: Barnier's Home
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Final Chaos — Final suitcase mix-up and chase Characters: Bertrand Barnier, Christian Martin, Colette Barnier, Oscar, Jacqueline Bouillotte, Bernadette, Charlotte
Location: Barnier's Home and streets
This film originated as a play in Paris. The story focuses on the one-day adventures of Bertrand Barnier played with a genius of French cinema, Louis de Funes. In the same morning he learns that his daughter is pregnant, an employee stole a large amount of money from his company, his maid is about to resign in order to marry a wealthy neighbor and his body builder is interested in marrying his daughter. The seemingly complicated story-line is full of comedy or errors and some of the most hilarious mime scenes of the French cinema.
