Maurice Chevalier’s (1888-1972) silhouette is legendary: he is “the man with the straw hat”. The unconventional singer, entertainer and actor, who had the entire world of women at his feet, was regarded worldwide as the perfect embodiment of Parisian charm and became as famous as the Eiffel Tower. The documentary is dedicated to the extraordinary fate of a boy from the working-class district of Ménilmontant in Paris, who made it to Hollywood, where the red carpet was rolled out for him. Enjoyably drawing on Chevalier’s 500 titles, the film revives the somewhat faded myth, giving it dignity and an unexpected depth. In the film, Chevalier still sings popular chansons such as “Valentine”, “Prosper” and “Dans la vie faut pas s’en faire”. Other of his melodies transport the viewer into the atmosphere of the Belle Epoque and the great music hall revues of the Golden Twenties. Film excerpts convey the charm of Ernst Lubitsch’s first musicals with Chevalier as the protagonist. The artist always had a smile on his face, which inspired the film’s cheerful, colorful and comic-like design style. Thus, directly on the walls of Ménilmontant, with the codes of street art, Chevalier’s legacy, which is still valid today, is updated: “My story will be an encouragement to all children from poor families and show them that they are no longer paralyzed by their inferiority complex that they can move forward without fear, that all they need is courage, common sense and good will.”
