Under the Roofs of Paris (Sous les toits de Paris, Films Sonores Tobis, 1930) is a French film directed by René Clair. It was probably the earliest French example of a filmed musical-comedy, although its often dark tone differentiates it from other instances of the genre. It was the first French production of the sound film era to achieve great international success.
In a working-class district of Paris, Albert (Albert Préjean), an impecunious street singer, lives in an attic room. He meets a beautiful Romanian girl, Pola (Pola Illéry), and falls in love with her; but he is not the only one, since his best friend Louis (Edmond T. Gréville) and the gangster Fred (Gaston Modot) are also under her spell. One evening Pola dares not return home because Fred has stolen her key and she does not feel safe. She spends the night with Albert who, reluctantly remaining the gentleman, sleeps on the floor and leaves his bed to Pola. They soon decide to get married, but fate prevents them when Émile, a thief, deposits with Albert a bag full of stolen goods. It is discovered by the police, and Albert is sent to prison. Pola finds consolation with Louis. Later Émile is caught in his turn and admits that Albert was not his accomplice, which earns Albert his freedom. Fred has just got back together with Pola who has fallen out with Louis, and in a jealous fury at Albert's return Fred decides to provoke a knife fight with him. Louis rushes to Albert's rescue and the two comrades are re-united, but their friendship is clouded by the realisation that each of them is in love with Pola. Finally Albert decides to give up Pola to Louis. -- adapted from Wikipedia