Complete credited cast: | |||
Pierre Fresnay | ... | L'inspecteur Wenceslas Wens | |
Suzy Delair | ... | Mila Malou - la maîtresse tapageuse de Wens | |
Jean Tissier | ... | Triquet, aka professeur Lalah-Poor | |
Pierre Larquey | ... | Monsieur Colin | |
Noël Roquevert | ... | Docteur Théodore Linz | |
René Génin | ... | Alfred, l'ivrogne | |
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Jean Despeaux | ... | Kid Robert |
Marc Natol | ... | Armand, le valet de chambre (as Natol) | |
Huguette Vivier | ... | Mademoiselle Vania | |
Odette Talazac | ... | Madame Point | |
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Maximilienne | ... | Mademoiselle Cuq |
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Sylvette Saugé | ... | Christiane Perret, la poule |
Louis Florencie | ... | Commissaire Monnet | |
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André Gabriello | ... | L'agent Pussot (as Gabriello) |
Raymond Bussières | ... | Jean-Baptiste Turlot (as Bussières) |
Dapper Inspector Vorobechik ('Wens' for short) is assigned the case of a serial killer who leaves a calling card on his victims; Monsieur Durand. Wens' mistress, struggling actress Mila Malou, determines to get publicity for herself by helping him. Learning that Durand is one of the eccentric tenants of a boarding house at No. 21 Avenue Junot, Wens takes a room in the guise of a Protestant minister; only to be followed by Mila who hardly seems like a minister's wife! Suspects are arrested, but while each is in jail, there's another murder... Written by Rod Crawford <puffinus@u.washington.edu>
What a smart film this is! It took me a while to get around after the proverbial rug was pulled from under my feet towards its climax.
It is a thriller, but not just that. It is a comedy, but never distracting from the overall tone. It is intelligent, but doesn't take a cheat breather at the end to cover up writing inadequacies.
A policeman has to catch a serial killer in two days. He has for company an ambitious woman who is far from qualified to be in situations she intends to be in. He has a clue. And he has a set of strange people amongst whom he feels he has his target.
A fabulous whodunit ensues. Add to this the beautiful language of the French in what is a fairly verbose film, and you have an absolute must- see. Along with Laura, this is one of my favourite suspense thrillers from the 40s and I definitely recommend it.