1963, Film: “Mélodie en sous-sol”

The French film "Mélodie en sous-sol" (English: "Any Number Can Win") is released 19 March 1963 in France and on 8 October 1963 in the US. The film directed by Henri Verneuil is based on the John Trinian alias Zekial Marko novel "The Big Grab" from 1960. Main stars are Jean Gabin as Monsieur Charles, a mature delinquent recently released from prison and Alain Delon as Francis Verlot, a former cellmate of Monsieur Charles.

From the start the main role of Monsieur Charles was intended to be played by Jean Gabin, but the second role, that of Francis Verlot was to be played by Jean-Louis Trintignant.

Synopsis

Charles (Jean Gabin) comes out of prison after serving five years for attempted robbery. He rejects Ginette (Viviane Romance), his wife, intention for a quiet life of bourgeois respectability. He enlists a former cellmate, Francis Verlot (Alain Delon), to rob the vault of a Cannes casino...

Alain Delon as Francis Verlot

Jean Gabin as Monsieur Charles and Maurice Biraud as Louis Naudin

Jean Gabin as Monsieur Charles and Alain Delon as Francis Verlot

Alain Delon as Francis Verlot and Carla Marlier as Brigitte

Main Cast

• Jean Gabin as Monsieur Charles
• Alain Delon as Francis Verlot
• Claude Cerval as commissaire de Police
• Maurice Biraud as Louis Naudin
• Viviane Romance as Ginette
• Carla Marlier as Brigitte
• Dora Doll as Countess Doublianoff
• Henri Virlojeux as Mario
• José Luis de Vilallonga as Monsieur Grimp
• Rita Cadillac as Liliane
• Anne-Marie Coffinet as Marcelle
• Jean Carmet as barman
• Jimmy Davis as Sam
• Dominique Davray as Léone

Alain Delon as Francis Verlot and Carla Marlier as Brigitte

Jean Gabin as Monsieur Charles and Viviane Romance as Ginette

Awards

• Edgar Allan Poe Awards: Edgar for Best Foreign Film (USA, 1964)
• National Board of Review: NBR for Top Foreign Film (USA, 1963)

"Mélodie en sous-sol" Opening Credits