Bluebeard (1944)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

Director:

Edgar G. Ulmer

Writers:

Arnold Phillips (story) and
Werner H. Furst (story) ...

Release Date:

11 November 1944 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Film-Noir | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

The most sinister love story ever told!

Plot:

In Paris, an artist hires portrait models, and after he finishes their portraits, he strangles them.

Plot Keywords:

Portrait | Jealousy | Art Dealer | Model | Sister

Cast

John Carradine	...	Gaston Morrell
Jean Parker	...	Lucille
Nils Asther	...	Inspector Lefevre
Ludwig Stössel	...	Jean Lamarte (as Ludwig Stossel)
George Pembroke	...	Inspector Renard
Teala Loring	...	Francine
Sonia Sorel	...	Renee
Henry Kolker	...	Deschamps
Emmett Lynn	...	Le Soldat
Iris Adrian	...	Mimi
Patti McCarty	...	Babette
Carrie Devan	...	Constance
Anne Sterling	...	Jeanette

Runtime:

72 min (copyright length) | 70 min (DVD)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #10303) | USA:TV-PG (TV rating) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Sweden:15 | UK:PG (re-rating) (2005) | UK:A (original rating)

Company:

Producers Releasing Corporation

Trivia:

Eugen Schüfftan was actually the director of photography but could not be credited on screen because he was not yet a member of the cinematographer's union. So he was credited as production designer, the job actually done by director Edgar G. Ulmer, while the camera operator Jockey Arthur Feindel was credited as director of photography.

Quotes:

Gaston Morrell: Lucille, I want to tell you something no other living person knows...

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Creature Features: The Mummy/Bluebeard (#1.24)" (1971)

Soundtrack:

Faust

One of Carradine's and PRC's finest

This telling of French serial killer Bluebeard (why was he called Bluebeard?) is notable for two reasons - one is John Carradine's haunting yet believable portrayal of a madman's psyche, and the other is for Edgar G. Ulmer's ability to create mood and even grandeur on a tiny budget. While Carradine's acting skills have never been in question, his over-the-top scene stealing in many small roles would make one approach him with caution in a leading role. However, Carradine manages to restrain himself enough to never grow old or cumbersome in the role, while simultaneously delivering his lines memorably - leading to the excellent final crescendo. The plot never tires, the direction is masterful, the ensemble acting (especially the devious art dealer Lamarte) far better than expected, and the final feeling one of satisfaction. While all of this is unadulterated praise, the movie does appear a tad bit stagey (via budgetary concerns) at times, and also moves slowly at certain points. Despite this, Bluebeard is not merely an excellent time-waster, but a movie worthy of any viewer going out, renting, and popping in.