Guy walking out of the wall
 

My wife and I visited Paris for the first time together last year. In the Montmarte district, near Van Gogh's residence, I think, there is a statue of a man walking out of a wall. The story associated with this statue is that there was a fiction novel about someone who could be invisible and walk through walls, it is a funny novel from what I gather. Can anyone tell me who the author was that inspired that wall statue. Thanks

Marcel Aym&eacute; wrote the novel, entitled <i>Le Passe-Muraille</i>, in 1943. It was also made into a movie in the 1950s.

The sculpture was created by the famous French actor, Jean Marais.

well done Anthony, too fast for me! ;-)
http://www.phan-ngoc.com/fred/paris/html/passemur.html
http://www.paris-on-line.com/album/fot_29.htm

I believe this is the link:
http://www.stresscafe.com/translations/pm/index.htm

Wasn't he shot dead in the wall where he was hiding at the end?

No, he wasn't shot, and Anthony, it was not a novel but a short story.
Another note on Marais. He was a painter all his life and actually became an actor after someone in the business bought one of his paintings. He took up sculpture in the 70s after 60 years work on stage and screen.

At 222 pages, it sure looks like a novel to me. Aym&eacute; did write short stories, but this wasn't particularly short.

The very nice translation by Karen Reshkin, at the link provided by P Texas, is only 13 pages long (in the PDF version). I think the confusion probably comes from Ayme publishing both the short story and a collection of short stories under the same title.

I'm very pleased to know about both the sculpture and the story, and will plan to look out for the man in the wall when walking around Montmartre.

Yes, it's originally published under his collection of short stories, &quot;Across Paris.&quot;

Has anyone seen the film? Any good? I would love to try to track it down.

Betty, if you find them I prefer the 1951 version which starred the famous French comedianMarcelle Bourvil and my favorite English actress of that time, Joan Greenwood whom I thought had the best cinematic voice. There was also (Ithink available on vid) the smash French musical, &quot;Amour,&quot;based on the tale with music by Michel Legrand.

Mimi, where did you get that Bourvil's first name was Marcel? (Marcelle is feminine)
His real name was Andr&eacute; Zacharie Raimbourg. One of our best actors, funny and moving. He was also a singer.
http://www.paroles.net/artis/1144

I was quite little when I saw the film, a funny one! :-)

That was an error from my old notes, he was known as Bourvil, and by the way, he was a close friend of Georges Brassens. I saw the film as a teen-ager when it first came out in 1951. We had an amazing theatre here a few doors down from my home at that time that showed French and English films. I watched all of Margaret Rutherford, Alec Guiness, and the Original Talented Ripley (purple noon) with Alain Delon.

You will also find a man coming out of the wall in back of the Wallonie-Bruxelles cultural center, rue Quincampoix side.

kerouac, is there a photo on line and who is the sculptor?
I believe the one in Montmartre by Jean Marais is the one any only of his.

Cigale: Does the 1950s film have the same title, &quot;Le Passe-Muraille&quot;?

oui Betty! :-)

Betty, the same title and if you want to read the story , you can buy the collected stories in a translation called &quot;Across Paris&quot; on line. I still have my 1957 copy and saw some of his other stories on film in collection called, &quot;The rooftops of Paris.&quot;

Mimi, so many good tips! I am going to the video store LOL
I have a French mix CD with George Brassen singing
<i> Je M'Suis Fait Tout Petit</i> I really like his voice!