L’Assassin Habite au 21 [The Murderer Lives at Number 21] **** (1942, Pierre Fresnay, Suzy Delair, Jean Tissier, Noël Roquevert, Pierre Larquey) – Classic Movie Review 6653

This excellent, highly sympathetic, thriller-cum-character study comedy comes from co-writer/ director Henri-Georges Clouzot, the maker of Les Diaboliques, making a strong impression with his first solo film as director.

Pierre Fresnay stars as Le Commissaire Wens, a French cop who masquerades as a Protestant minister to inquire into Paris boarding-house murders by a serial killer who leaves a visiting card on his victims saying ‘Monsieur Drurand’.

So Le Commissaire puts up at the Pension Mimosa boarding house at No. 21 Avenue Junot, home to a series of memorably shady individuals.

L’Assassin Habite au 21 is kicked off nicely with a particularly strong opening murder sequence, and it is tense, atmospheric and entertaining throughout, with amusing comedy and an intriguing mystery.

Fresnay impresses and Suzy Delair also scores as Fresnay’s interfering girlfriend, struggling actress Mila Malou, who also lodges at the boarding house as the minister’s wife. Also in the cast are Noël Roquevert, Pierre Larquey, Jean Tissier, René Génin, Jean Despeaux and Marc Natol.

It is written by Clouzot and Stanislas-André Steeman, based on Steeman’s novel, shot in black and white by Armand Thirar and scored by Maurice Yvain.

Clouzot based his Quai des Orfèvres (1947) on another of Steeman’s novels – Legitime Defense.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 6653

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Director Henri-Georges Clouzot is the maker of Les Diaboliques.