Paris Holiday 1958

On the glamorous SS Île de France, Bob Hunter, a popular American comedian whose work spans stage, film, and television, boards the liner bound for France, expecting a routine voyage. He soon discovers that his French counterpart, Fernydel, is aboard as well, adding a dash of comic mischief to the trip. Also on board are two compelling women: the elegant diplomat Ann McCall and Zara Brown Zara Brown, an agent for a French criminal organization convinced that Bob is carrying an incriminating manuscript. Zara’s constant searches of Bob’s stateroom create tension, especially when Ann witnesses her leaving after one of these inspections.

In Paris, Bob goes to meet the writer Serge Vitry, hoping to buy a script. Vitry has abandoned his comedic roots and is working on a true-life drama that he plans to produce himself; he is not initially interested in Bob’s material. Nevertheless, Bob pleads for a look, and Vitry points him toward a translated copy of the manuscript. Soon, a string of suspicious accidents lands Bob in trouble, and he is arrested as a murder suspect in Vitry’s death. He is rescued by the American Ambassador American Ambassador and by Inspector Dupont Inspector Dupont, who reveal that Vitry’s manuscript exposed the identities of counterfeiters who had infiltrated high offices in the French government. The authorities enlist Bob as bait to draw out the criminals, and he agrees, partly to protect Ann’s life.

With critical support from Ann, Fernydel, and Zara, Bob plunges into a dangerous chase across Paris. The pursuit takes them through crowded streets and into a series of perilous confrontations, culminating in a temporary detainment that places Bob in a mental asylum for safekeeping as part of the criminals’ plan. The plan unravels with a decisive strike against the conspirators, followed by an escape by helicopter—piloted by Fernydel—as they navigate a tense escape and ensure the capture of the remaining assassins. Bob, Fernydel, and Ann are finally celebrated in a public parade, recognized as the heroes who stood up to a network of corruption.