Au Bonheur des Dames

based on the novel by Emile Zola

The department store scenes were filmed in "GALERIES LAFAYETTE"

Directed by Julien Duvivier

The big department store vs. the little shop.

The problem still exists today.

A cruel, unfair struggle that ends in death and destruction,

and to blame, the thing that regulates the ticking of the world:

progress.

Denise BAUDU, an orphan.

EVERYTHING... YOU WANT...

AT LADIES' PARADISE

Mr. Baudu in Paris, 6 Courteline St.

( across from the store Ladies' Paradise )

"Uncle, you're the one who wrote and told me to come."

"I wrote you, it's true... when your father died

six months ago, but since then... "

"Since then... everything has changed...

business is very bad."

"The department store is destroying us.

Everyone is closing down... How can I provide for you?"

"Maybe I can get a job across the street...

at Ladies' Paradise?"

"Work for Mouret?

That charlatan who sells at a loss in order to ruin us?"

"That wretch doesn't care

if the little guys starve to death!"

"Come... We'll give you some lunch first. "

CLOSED FROM NOON TO 2 PM

"Genevieve! Don't you recognize your cousin, Denise?"

"This is Colomban, my future son-in-law.

A good young man who helps me as best he can. "

"My poor girl, I can't let you share in our misery.

Try to find some work. "

Rising out of the earth at the behest of one man: Octave Mouret.

The department store, Ladies' Paradise,

Temple of Temptation.

"Excuse me, could you tell me where to go to apply for a job?"

Sebastien JOUVE Employee Manager

"We have one opening for a model. Come with me."

"Take your clothes off!"

"I want my stores to take over the whole neighborhood in two years!"

"Great plan, Mr. Mouret!

But there's one shop you can't get rid of:

the one that belongs to old Baudu!"

"His shop, Vieil Elboeuf, is mortgaged to the hilt,

it'll succumb like all the others... I'll buy everything up!"

"Fine! But... where will you get the money?"

"Mrs. Desforges is introducing me to a man this evening

who has more money than he can count,

Baron Hartmann. "

"That boy is engaged. You should leave him alone..."

"Is it any of your business?!"

"Get out of here!"

"I like that girl... Hire her. "

"I'm the one who did you that favor. "

"Thanks to you I was hired immediately...

I wanted to thank you."

"They put me in the beauty products section."

"Thank you...

I live across the street at my uncle Baudu's house."

"Poor uncle...

He says Mr. Mouret, our boss, wants to ruin him."

At Mrs. Desforges' house.

"Mr. Mouret, this is Baron Hartmann,

He likes and supports big projects. "

"Old buildings, worthless shops, I'll raze everything...

and I'll make Ladies' Paradise the biggest store in the world!"

"It's an ambitious project and an interesting idea...

But who are your customers?"

" All of the women in Paris...

He who rules the women rules the world!"

"I want to build a temple of elegance, luxury and beauty,

your temple, ladies...

In this undertaking, you'll all be with me!"

"You seem to use women too easily, my dear man...

People get hurt in that game.

Beware, one day one of them may avenge the others. "

Baron Hartmann has given his millions in support...

All around the Vieil Elboeuf shop demolition work is under way.

NEW STORES OPENl NG SOON LADIES' PARADISE