Strangers in the House

Directed by Henri Decoin, and Henri-Georges Clouzot
Year: 1942
Country: France
Language: French with English subtitles

Adapted by the prodigiously gifted Henri-Georges Clouzot (Quai des Orfèvres, Wages of Fear, Diabolique) from the novel by eminent crime author Georges Simenon (Maigret, The Widow Couderc), STRANGERS IN THE HOUSE (Les Inconnus dans la Maison) is a stunning psychological murder-mystery with sardonic Gallic overtones. Legendary actor Raimu (Pagnol’s Marseille trilogy) is brilliant as the alcoholic ex-attorney Hector Loursat, disillusioned with life and living with his daughter, Nicole (Juliette Faber, Simenon’s Picpus), in a vast and shabby mansion. One night, they hear gunshots echoing from upstairs and discover a dead man lying on an old bed in the attic. This ghastly scene sets the stage for a sharp and scathing film noir written by Europe’s most acclaimed craftsmen of suspense and directed by the great Henri Decoin (One Step to Eternity, Razzia sur la Chnouf).

Cast
Raimu
Juliette Faber
Jean Tissier
Jacques Baumer
Noël Roquevert
Héléna Manson
André Reybaz
Jacques Grétillat
Lucien Coëdel

Crew
Directed by Henri Decoin and Henri-Georges Clouzot