Cherchez l’idole (1964) Plot Summary Explained

Richard, a tiler working at Mylène Demongeot's house, learns about the valuable diamond heart from the maid Gisèle. After being exasperated by his ambitious girlfriend Corinne, he acts on impulse and steals the jewel hoping to profit from it. The diamond is worth 500,000 new francs (roughly 760,000 euros), a substantial sum that motivates his theft.

Foreshadowing: Gisèle had mentioned the famous jewel to Richard while discussing the household, planting the idea in his mind.

• richard
• diamond theft
• motivation
• gisèle

When Richard is pursued by police after crossing the wall of Mylène's property, he darts into a nearby music store warehouse. He conceals the diamond heart by pressing it under the binding of an Ericson guitar using chewing gum, making it portable and hidden within a legitimate instrument.

Foreshadowing: Richard's desperation to escape the police scene forces him to find the nearest hiding spot available.

• diamond
• guitar
• hiding spot
• ericson
• police chase

Richard is spotted by neighbors who witness someone crossing over the wall of Mylène Demongeot's property at night. The neighbors alert the police, who then pursue Richard through the urban area. This police chase forces him to flee and seek immediate shelter, leading him to the music shop warehouse.

Foreshadowing: The film's opening establishes Mylène's house as a high-profile celebrity residence where any suspicious activity would draw attention.

• police chase
• neighbors
• property
• thief

Corinne goes to the music store to buy the guitar Richard had hidden, only to discover that all five Ericson guitars in stock have already been sold to five different singing idols. Believing Richard is responsible for this mix-up and frustrated by the chaos surrounding him, Corinne blames Richard and ends their relationship.

Foreshadowing: The previous tension between Richard and Corinne about his ambition sets the stage for her quick judgment.

• corinne
• breakup
• guitar
• idols
• richard

Richard and Gisèle decide to approach each idol during their live performances at concert venues. By watching the idols closely, they hope to spot telltale signs that reveal which one possesses the treasure guitar containing the hidden diamond. This plan forces them to infiltrate the celebrity music scene.

Foreshadowing: The five idols, Charles Aznavour, Sylvie Vartan, Frank Alamo, Nancy Holloway, and Johnny Hallyday, become the central suspects in the search.

• idols
• search
• performances
• guitar
• charles aznavour
• sylvie vartan
• johnny hallyday

General De Gaulle invites Mylène to a prestigious reception at the Élysée Palace in three days. This creates urgency for her to have her gala outfit ready and to wear the diamond heart, which is worth 500,000 new francs. Her absence for a Cannes film event during this critical period is what allows the theft to occur unchecked.

Foreshadowing: The invitation establishes the high stakes of the diamond and why its recovery matters to Mylène's public appearance.

• élixée palace
• general de gaulle
• invitation
• mylène demongeot
• gala

After the initial theft, Richard experiences remorse and decides he wants to return the diamond to Mylène Demongeot. With help from Gisèle, who knows the truth about the thief, he embarks on a treasure hunt to recover the gem and restore it to its owner after her Cannes trip. His motivation shifts from profit to redemption.

Foreshadowing: Richard's initial impulsive theft sets in motion a journey toward making things right.

• richard
• redemption
• return diamond
• gisèle
• remorse

As fate would have it, five Ericson guitars were all purchased by five different singing idols, Charles Aznavour, Sylvie Vartan, Frank Alamo, Nancy Holloway, and Johnny Hallyday, on the same morning Richard hid the diamond. This coincidence transforms a simple theft into a citywide search, as multiple celebrities unknowingly become potential carriers of the stolen jewel.

Foreshadowing: The film's premise relies on this fortunate (or unfortunate) timing that creates the central complication.

• five guitars
• coincidence
• idols
• ericson
• purchased

After Mylène returns from her Cannes cinematographic event, Richard and Gisèle work to recover the hidden diamond and return it to her before the Élysée Palace reception. The story builds toward resolving who among the five idols possesses the guitar with the concealed jewel, ensuring Mylène can wear her diamond heart at the prestigious gala.

Foreshadowing: Mylène's departure to Cannes creates the window of opportunity for both the theft and the recovery attempt.

• mylène
• cannes
• diamond return
• élysée palace