Cherchez l’idole

The film opens with Mylène Demongeot moving into a beautiful new house beside the Bois de Boulogne. The residence is still under construction and quickly becomes chaotic as an army of workers swarms the site. This hectic start sets the stage for the ensuing comedy and trouble.

General De Gaulle invites Mylène to a reception at the Élysée Palace in three days, elevating the social stakes of her calendar. She begins planning for the event and considers the jewel she hopes to wear. The invitation introduces a prestigious backdrop for the upcoming plot.

Mylène asks her maid Gisèle to prepare the gala outfit and to keep the little diamond heart safe for the occasion. The jewel is described as a priceless treasure worth 500,000 new francs, adding a heavy incentive to protect it. The preparations heighten the tension around the forthcoming gala.

Meanwhile, Mylène must leave for Cannes to attend a cinematographic event, pulling her away from home during a critical pre-reception period. Her absence creates an opportunity for others to move unseen and for mischief to unfold. The trip foregrounds the contrast between celebrity life and domestic danger.

Richard, a tiler working in the star's house, is exasperated by his ambitious girlfriend Corinne. He inadvertently learns about the famous jewel from Gisèle, sparking a plan to steal it. The revelation sets the plot in motion and tests loyalties.

At night, Richard makes off with the little heart, intending to profit from it. Neighbors notice him crossing the wall and alert the police, triggering a citywide pursuit. The heist marks the turning point from planning to action.

Pursued by the authorities, Richard flees through the urban maze while authorities close in. The chase compounds the danger and adds a sense of urgency to recover the jewel. The neighborhood watch becomes a key driver of the plot's momentum.

Richard seeks refuge in a nearby music store warehouse and conceals the jewel by sticking it inside an Ericson electric guitar with chewing gum. The guitar, now a portable treasure, becomes the central MacGuffin that everyone will hunt. The odd concealment fuels the film’s comedy and suspense.

The following day, Corinne goes to the store to buy the guitar and learns that all five Ericson copies have just been sold to five singing idols. She blames Richard for the mix-up and ends their relationship, intensifying the scramble to recover the jewel. The theft now intersects with celebrity circles.

Corinne and her friend Vonny set off on a chase after the idols, while Richard, now repentant, teams up with Gisèle to retrieve the jewel and return it to Mylène after Cannes. Their goals align for the moment, though trust remains fragile. The plan shifts from simple theft to a careful recovery operation.

The group decides to confront the idols during their performances to locate the one who holds the famous treasure guitar. They hope to spot the telltale signs that reveal the thief in the midst of show business. The plan blends sneaky surveillance with public performances.

Charles Aznavour takes the stage as the first target in their search. The crew watches the performance for any hint that the guitar or jewel might be present. The scene mixes music, misdirection, and mounting suspense as they scan the crowd.

During Sylvie Vartan's performance, the watchers continue their careful inspection for clues. The rhythm of the show provides cover for their covert inspection, keeping the tension high. The plot thickens as potential leads surface and fade.

As Frank Alamo performs, the group narrows the field of suspects and watches for any sign that the jewel is involved. The mix of humor and suspense deepens as red herrings appear. The live setting amplifies the stakes of their search.

The performances of Nancy Holloway and Johnny Hallyday become the final focal point of the idol search. The duo uses the platform to inch closer to the guitar bearing the jewel, while fans remain unaware of the high-stakes pursuit backstage. The timeline culminates with the looming question of who actually holds the treasure.