The Face at the Window (1939)

Set in France in 1880. A series of murders is attributed to a Wolf Man.

Director:

George King

Writers:

Brooke Warren (based on the play by), A.R. Rawlinson (scenario and dialogue)

Stars:

Tod Slaughter, John Warwick, Aubrey Mallalieu

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Tod Slaughter	...	Chevalier Lucio del Gardo
John Warwick	...	Lucien Cortier
Aubrey Mallalieu	...	M. de Brisson
Marjorie Taylor	...	Cecile de Brisson
Robert Adair	...	Police Inspector Gouffert
Wallace Evennett	...	Prof. LeBlanc (as Wallace Evenett)
Leonard Henry	...	Gaston, the Cook
Kay Lewis	...	Babette, the Maid
Bill Shine	...	Pierre, Babette's Beau (as Billy Shine)
Margaret Yarde	...	La Pinan
Harry Terry	...	The Face at the Window

Storyline

In 1880, the criminal called The Face is responsible for a murderous rampage in France. When the Brisson Bank is robbed in Paris and the employee Michelle is murdered, the wealthy Chevalier Lucio del Gardo is the only chance to save the bank. Chavalier proposes to the owner M. de Brisson to deposit a large amount of gold, but in return he would like to marry his daughter Cecile. However, Cecile is in love with the efficient clerk Lucien Cortier that belongs to the lower classes and refuses the engagement. In order to get rid off the rival, Chavalier uses evidences to incriminate Lucien, manipulating the incompetent Parisian chief of police.

---

Plot Keywords:

france | murder | 19th century | year 1880 | french third republic | 

---

Genres:

Drama | Horror

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 October 1940 (USA)

Also Known As:

Um Vulto na Janela

Filming Locations:

British Lion Studios, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

George King Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

70 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Photophone System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film is one of over 200 titles in the list of independent feature films made available for television presentation by Advance Television Pictures announced in Motion Picture Herald 4 April 1942. At this time, television broadcasting was in its infancy, almost totally curtailed by the advent of World War II, and would not continue to develop until 1945-1946. Because of poor documentation (feature films were often not identified by title in conventional sources) no record has yet been found of its initial television broadcast.

---

Connections

Featured in 100 Years of Horror (1996)

User Reviews

It is an EXPERIENCE!

Yes, this film is dated. Yes, it is muddled with every possible plot contrivance imaginable in a mystery-melodrama. But, this film stars one of the kings of the horror screen - a forgotten king named Tod Slaughter. And if you have never had the opportunity and privilege to see him on screen, then you are missing out on a pure cinematic joy. He is the hammiest of the hams with his eyes rolling incessantly, his mischievous leers, his over-pronounced dialogue, and his bombastic gestures. He makes Vincent Price look like an actor accustomed to giving understated performances. Plainly put - he is fun to watch! Slaughter was a British actor known primarily for his stage work but he made several pictures. As with all his films, he is the primary focal-point of attention, and A Face at the Window is no exception. This is a fun movie to watch and should make you a Tod Slaughter fan. The story of the movie is complicated and stretches credibility at times, but is to be taken in fun....that is apparent as soon as you see Slaughter say something and gesture about.