Helene is based on Helene Wilfur, a novel by Vicki (Grand Hotel) Baum. Madeleine Renaud essays the title role, a young medical student in love with aspiring musician Pierre Regnier (Jean-Lous Barrault). Pierre's father, a noted surgeon, puts pressure on his son to give up music in favor of medicine. Unable to withstand his father's remonstrations, Pierre kills himself, prompting the grieving Madeleine to forget all about romance and dedicate her life to the cause of healing others. Wilfur avoids the usual soap-opera goo by offering realistic performances and credible dialogue (the English-language subtitles were composed by erudite film critic Herman G. Weinberg).

An American couple, Douglas and Mary, are in the nightclub 'La Vache Rose'. When Julot and Nini are performing 'La Danse Apache', Douglas thinks that Nini is being abused and he comes to her defense. He doesn't know that it's all part of the dance. "Chiqué" is the first French talking picture produced in France.