The title character of L’Etrange Monsieur Victor is a seemingly respectable storekeeper, happily married to the lovely Madeleine. As the film opens, Victor and Madeleine have just become the proud parents of an adorable baby boy. Everything seems perfect for Victor, a man admired for his good works and love of children. But Victor has a secret life; he is leader of a criminal gang. Now that he is a father, he decides to leave behind his life of crime, but one member of his gang doesn’t like this and threatens to expose him.

With: Raimu, Pierre Blanchar, Madeleine Renaud.

Related posts:

1. Monsieur Ibrahim et les fleurs du Coran
2. Alphaville, une étrange aventure de Lemmy Caution
3. Monsieur Batignole

 

Based on a novel by Emile Zola, La Bete Humaine weaves a mesmerizing tale of a tragic triangle. Train engineer Jean Gabin lusts after Simone Simon, the wife of his co-worker Fernand Ledoux. When Ledoux is in danger of losing his job, Simon offers herself to her husband’s boss. In jealous pique, Ledoux kills the man. Gabin is witness to this, so Simon promises to reward him sexually if he’ll keep quiet. As this romance intensifies, Simon tries to finagle Gabin into killing Ledoux. Sick of the whole sordid affair, Gabin murders Simon and then kills himself.

With: Jean Gabin, Simone Simon, Fernand Ledoux.

Related posts:

1. La grande illusion
2. Peau d’âne
3. Un flic