Cherchez l’idole 1964

In this playful star-studded caper, Mylène Demongeot moves into a chic new home beside the Bois de Boulogne, only to find the house under construction quickly swarmed by an army of workers. A glamorous invitation arrives from General De Gaulle to attend a reception in three days at the Elysée Palace, a high-profile event that could shape her public image. To look her best for that occasion, she asks her trusted maid Berthe Granval to assemble a dazzling gala outfit and to guard a small diamond heart — a jewel valued at 500,000 new francs (roughly 760,000 euros). Meanwhile, she must travel to Cannes for a film-related engagement, adding a dash of pressure to an already busy schedule.

Franck Fernandel plays Richard, a cheerful tiler who works in the star’s house and is momentarily exasperated by his ambitious and troublesome girlfriend, Corinne, portrayed by Dany Saval. Through Gisèle, the maid, he learns about the famous jewel. One night, driven by impulse, he steals the heart. But neighbors who witnessed someone crossing the wall of the star’s property alert the police, and a tense pursuit begins. Richard darts into the nearest warehouse—the stockroom of a music shop—and conceals the jewel by pressing it under the binding of an Ericson guitar with chewing gum.

The next day, a twist of fate intensifies the situation: Corinne goes to the shop to buy the guitar, only to discover that the five Ericson guitars in stock have just been sold to five singing idols. Corinne blames Richard and breaks up with him, while she and her friend Vonny embark on a pursuit of the idols. Richard, now remorseful, also sets off on a treasure hunt, aided by Gisèle, who knows the truth about the thief, with the aim of returning the jewel to Mylène Demongeot after her Cannes trip.

To solve the mystery, they must approach the idols during their performances to discover which one among the five holds the treasured guitar. The five suspects are the celebrated performers [Charles Aznavour], [Sylvie Vartan], [Frank Alamo], [Nancy Holloway], and [Johnny Hallyday], and the story unfolds as they each bring their own style, charisma, and stage presence to the search for the missing gem.