Bluebeard *** (1944, John Carradine, Jean Parker, Nils Asther) – Classic Movie Review 10,322

Director Edgar G Ulmer’s good little 19th-century-set 1944 serial killer horror thriller Bluebeard finds John Carradine on top form as puppeteer Gaston Morel, the Paris portrait-artist and strangler who comes under the spell of a suspicious dress-shop owner, Lucille Lutien (Jean Parker) after she is introduced to him by her friend and accepts a commission to design costumes for his puppets.

It is tautly and entertainingly made by cult director Ulmer, who keeps the movie eerie and Carradine in check and on course for an impressive turn. Nils Asther also stars as Inspector Jacques Lefevre of the Sûreté, who calls in his ace undercover agent Francine (Teala Loring), Lucille’s sister.

The film is based on the famous French folktale Bluebeard [Barbe Bleue], written by Charles Perrault in its most famous surviving version and first published by Barbin in Paris in 1697. It tells the story of a violent nobleman who murders his wives and of the attempts of one wife to avoid her fate.

The story is also told in The Madonna’s Secret (1946), Bluebeard [Blaubart] (1951), Claude Chabrol’s Landru (1963) and Bluebeard (1972).

Also in the cast are Ludwig Stössel as Jean Lamarte, George Pembroke as Inspector Renard, Teala Loring as Francine Lutien, Henry Kolker as Deschamps Lutien, Emmett Lynn as Le Soldat, Iris Adrian as Mimi Roberts, Patti McCarty as Babette, Carrie Devan as Constance, Anne Sterling as Jeanette Le Beau, Harry Cording as Policeman, Frank Darien as Inquiry Judge, Mabel Forrest as Woman, Eddie Hall as Paul, John Maxwell Hayes as Man, George Irving as The Duke of Carineaux, and Ethelreda Leopold as Laughing Courtroom Spectator.

The film is registered in the public domain.

The budget was $167,567. Carradine was paid $9,333.

Eugen Schüfftan was uncredited as cinematographer because of union restrictions. He is listed on some prints as production designer.

Art director Paul Palmentola, a low-budget film veteran, designs the sets.

Bluebeard is directed by Edgar G Ulmer, runs 72 minutes, is made by Producers Releasing Corporation (PRC), is released by Producers Releasing Corporation (PRC) (1944) (US) and Pathé Pictures (1945) (UK), is written by Pierre Gendron, based on a story by Arnold Lipp [Arnold Phillips] and Werner H Furst, is shot in black and white by Eugen Schüfftan and Jockey Arthur Feindel, is produced by Leon Fromkess, is scored by Leo Erdody and designed by Paul Palmentola.

[Spoiler alert] Sonia Sorel makes her film debut playing Renee Claremont, Morrell’s lover who performs in his puppet show. He strangles her and dumps her body in the River Seine after she inquires what happened to his models.

In real life, Sonia Sorel was married to John Carradine from 25 March 1945 to 6 May 1957. She was the mother of actors Keith Carradine and Robert Carradine and architect Chris Carradine. An acrimonious custody battle followed the parents’ divorce, and their sons were placed in a home for abused children as wards of the court. John won custody of the children and Sonia was not allowed to see the children for the next eight years.

John Carradine (born Richmond Reed Carradine; February 5, 1906 – November 27, 1988).

John Carradine (February 5, 1906 – November 27, 1988) has 351 film and TV credits, making him one of the most prolific English-speaking actors of all time.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 10,322

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