Death Threat (1950) [N/A]
Featuring:
Colette Darfeuil, Pierre Renoir, Jean Martinelli
Written by:
Raymond Leboursier
Directed by:
Raymond Leboursier
Release Date:
February 22, 1950
Original Title:
Menace de mort
Alternate Titles:
Death Threat
Genres:
Comedy | Crime | Drama
Production Companies:
SPIC (FR)
Production Countries:
France
Ratings / Certifications:
N/A
Runtime: 92
André Garnier, a young pianist, who was sent to deportation following a denunciation, absolutely wants to find his informer. He falls in love with Hélène, the mistress of a wealthy industrialist, Bernier, in whom he soon discovers the man who once sold him to the Gestapo. Bernier is soon found murdered. André deflects suspicion on Jacques, the victim's secretary. Hélène and André's affair ends up being discovered by the police, who seem to see in it the motive for the crime. André surrenders to justice.
"Menace de mort" is directed by Raymond Leboursier, an occasional director (only 8 movies) and writer, with no masterpieces in his filmography. This one is a kind of film noir. The major problem is the love story, quite far fetched and played by Colette Darfeuil and Jean Martinelli, completely dull and wooden, in fact, I do not see one scene where they're in love. Maybe it was the director's intention to be so wrongly dark, because the rest of the casting is as we can expect : a boozy Pierre Renoir, the smart concierge Pierre Larquey, and the real interest of this movie, the fallen inspector Dalio who plays delightfully a kinda of nasty Columbo tracking Jean Martinelli. He's really exceptional. Oh, and just enjoy the very last shot, so "unique".
