HENRI-GEORGES CLOUZOT

Bil’s rating (out of 5):   BBBB. 

France, 1947.  Majestic Films.  Dialogue by Henri-Georges Clouzot, Screenplay by Henri-Georges Clouzot, Jean Ferry, based on the novel Legitime Defense by Stanislas-Andre Steeman.  Cinematography by Armand Thirard.  Produced by Gregor Rabinovitch.  Music by Maurice Jaubert.  Production Design by Alexandre Trauner.  Costume Design by Coco Chanel.  Film Editing by Rene Le Henaff.  

Murder is committed in the world of Parisian turn-of-the-century music halls, when a gorgeous singer named Jenny Lamour kills the lecherous old man whom she hoped would be helpful to her career. Her jealous husband, unaware of his wife’s actions, enters the scene of the crime after the murder and flees for fear that he will be accused. Both of them unaware of each the other’s actions, they are both terrified when a clever detective shows up and seems to know that they are both hiding something from him. This was one of Henri-Georges Clouzot’s first big successes, a richly photographed mystery chock full of suspense and comedy, not to mention some very beautiful music. Terrific script, loosely based on a novel by Stanislas-Andre Steeman, and magnificent performances.

The Criterion Collection:  #193

Venice Film Festival: In Competition