The story concerns an old globe-maker who is mysteriously killed while going through the town portraying Pere Noel ("Father Christmas" aka Santa Claus).
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Title: Who Killed Santa Claus? (1941)
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Cast
| Complete credited cast: | |||
| Harry Baur | ... | Gaspard Cornusse | |
 |
Renée Faure | ... | Catherine Cornusse |
|
|
Marie-Hélène Dasté | ... | La mère Michel |
| Raymond Rouleau | ... | Le baron Roland de la Faille | |
| Robert Le Vigan | ... | Léon Villard, le maître d'école (as Le Vigan) | |
| Fernand Ledoux | ... | Noirgoutte, le maire | |
| Jean Brochard | ... | Ricomet | |
|
|
Jean Parédès | ... | Kappel, le sacristain (as Jean Paredes) |
|
|
Héléna Manson | ... | Marie Coquillot (as Helena Manson) |
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Storyline
The story concerns an old globe-maker who is mysteriously killed while going through the town portraying Pere Noel ("Father Christmas" aka Santa Claus).
Plot Keywords:
1940s | death of title character | title same as book | christmas eve | christmas mass |Certificate:
See all certifications »Parents Guide:
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See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
FranceLanguage:
FrenchRelease Date:
22 April 1948 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Who Killed Santa Claus? See more »Filming Locations:
Argentière, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, Haute-Savoie, FranceCompany Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Mono (Tobis Klangfilm Eurocord)Color:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1
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Did You Know?
Trivia
Was the first film produced by Continental Films, the infamous French production company financed by the Germans. See more »Frequently Asked Questions
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Although some actors are a little too 'pushy' on the drama side, the camera shots are excellent. Harry Baur is indeed excellent, along with Raymond Rouleau and Fernand Ledoux. While Renée Faure, M-H Dasté and Le Vigan's performance are a little "too much" for my taste and the genre of the movie. The "over-doing" breaks the pace of the movie.
The early version of the French Santa Claus (Père Noël) is very charming.
Made under German occupied France in 1941, I find this movie remarkably done. Especially considering that the Gestapo tortured Harry Baur to death a couple years later.
Astonishingly enough, the children in the movie are performing quite well. The cameo from Bernard Blier is also memorable toward the end.
I recommend this movie to all French movie lovers, now available on DVD under the "René Château" label. PAL, Zone 2, if your player can accept it.