Bric-à-brac et compagnie is a joyful cacophony. While the first talking pictures were showing in cinemas (The Jazz Singer, first talking picture dated 1927), film maker André Chotin (1892-1954) seemed to want to exploit as much this new technical wizardry as possible in his average-length film.  All the actors stressed each slang word, excessively rolled their "Rs" and even sang songs!

To the sound of this melody of 1930's Paris, a whole gallery of portraits evolved, a genuine bric-a-brac of characters.  There is for example the cheeky mother Tomeff and her "diamonds from the crown of Russia" that, seen up close, resemble more the stoppers of carafes, played by Madeleine Guitty (1870-1936), an actress known in France at the beginning of the 20th century for her supporting roles.  Without forgetting the endearing Fernand, played by Fernandel, who shoots one of his first films here.  The young Fernand Contantin (1903-1971) – whose mother-in-law always received him with a "here's the Fernand of hers" when she sees him join her daughter -, was then known above all for his song recitals during the intermissions of the Pathé cinemas or in Bobino, one of the most famous auditoriums in Paris. He appeared for the first time on screen in 1930 in Le Blanc et le Noir, by Marc Allégret (1900-1973). The following year, date of the realisation of Bric-à-brac et compagnie, Fernandel shot no less than 14 films. 1931 thus signed the dazzling cinematographic ascension of the one who would soon become the favourite actor of Marcel Pagnol (1895-1974) French writer, playwright and film director.

Yet in this film, the title role was neither held by a renowned actress nor by a young novice.  The main character of Bric-à-brac et compagnie is none other than the Saint-Ouen flea market! The creation of this huge second-hand market situated at the gates of Paris between the capital and the small town of Saint-Ouen, dates back to the end of the 19th century. At that time, a scrap iron market was held there every Sunday.  From the 1920's several entrepreneurs built little houses around this market that they rent to the second-hand goods dealers and rag-and-bone men.  Taken over by professionals, all these stands would quickly be full of second-hand clothes, old uniforms, helmets… items that would continue to increase and diversify over the years, today allowing it to acquire its title of first antiques market in the world.