This was the French-language version of the 1930 film, Playboy of Paris, which was directed by Ludwig Berger and starred Maurice Chevalier and Frances Dee (eee entry below). Both versions were produced at Paramount's Hollywood studios. While Var lists the running time of Le petit café as 64 minutes, this is probably incorrect, as FD lists 83 minutes and the running time calculated from footage given in NYSA records is 87 minutes. The French version did not open in Paris until 8 May 1931. Var commented about the French version, "It is so much better than the original English version and Chevalier's work in it is so much superior to that in any of his American films in English....He is more at ease in his own language, acts with more abandon, does the same Chevalier tricks with a more Chevalierish air. His best American appearances result as imitations of the real Maurice."
       Var noted that the French version contained several songs that were not in the English-language version. Chevalier, who attended the New York premiere, and actress Yvonne Vallée were married at the time of this film. According to modern sources, this was the only film Vallée made in the U.S. In 1919, a comedy based on the same source was made in France starring Max Linder and directed by Raymond Bernard, the son of playwright Tristan Bernard. According to modern sources, Chevalier, desiring to remake the Linder film, encouraged Paramount to purchase the property. ...