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Undescribable Perfection

the audience applauded

Good concept, poorly executed.

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

This is a fun and enjoyable little mystery film, with a terrific performance by character actor Oscar Homolka, giving him a rare opportunity to play the leading role, Inspector Hanaud.Homolka appeared in dozens of movies and TV shows throughout his career, including a recurring character in both Funeral in Berlin and Billion Dollar Brain, Mr. Sardonicus, War and Peace, and a number of projects with Hitchcock on both big and small screen. I've always enjoyed his work, but he's a standout in this, simply first rate.He's joined by the actress Yvonne Furneaux, so memorable in Polanski's Repulsion as well as in Fellini's La Dolce Vita and Hammer's version of The Mummy.The story is good with some nice twists and turns and the production is excellent. Recommended.

Pretty good mystery movie from a pretty good writer in A.E.W. Mason ("The Four Feathers", "Fire Over England"). The big surprise here, though, is Oscar Homolka as Insp. Hanaud, a charismatic, urbane figure unlike any Homolka has ever played. He is cleaned up, shorn of bushy eyebrows, hair combed back and dressed like a fashion plate instead of his usual rumpled old self.He carries the picture by himself and the producers probably spent most of their money on his salary, as the rest of the cast are unknowns and the whole production looks to have been made at the British equivalent of one of Hollywood's Poverty Row studios.I didn't read the book but I think Mason shortchanged his story by leaving us with only three suspects to choose from. The plot is a good one and it keeps you guessing right to the end, which comes up on us rather abruptly. If you get a chance, see it, you will like it. And, like me, you can wonder what could have been if it were made at a bigger studio.

Oscar Hamolka was one of those actors who dominate films.He outacts everyone on the screen by virtue of his personality and his acting tricks.It is therefore strange that his performance in this film is so little known.The beginning of the film has certain linguistic difficulties.Chaeacters constantly start their speecehes in French and are then told to speak in English by Homolka,who clearly speaks excellent French.Homolka was Austrian but played many nationalities including as here ,French.This murder mystery is well developed with a number of hidden surprises revealed at the denouement.Certainly worthy of greater recognition.

A. E. W. Mason's Inspector Hanaud was one of the great detectives of early mystery fiction. There are at least five British films featuring Haunad. Sadly, this is the only one known to exist. And what a great little treat it is. Hanaud is called in by a jealous heir to probe the death of his wealthy sister-in-law. The complaining heir suggests his sister-in-law was murdered by her adopted daughter, the beautiful Betty Harlowe. Hanaud's probe quickly dismisses the brother-in-law's claim. The man, upset at being shut out of his sister-in-law's will, created the story in the hopes of getting his hands on the estate.But the mystery is not over. Although the brother-in-law's charge has been dismissed, Hanaud has come to believe that the old woman was indeed murdered. Oscar Homolka is fantastic as the eccentric, extroverted Inspector Hanaud. He takes command of the scenes he is in and displays an extreme confidence that is consistent with his character. Not to be missed by lovers of British mysteries.