(1945) Bernard Blier, Sophie Desmarets, Jacques Pills, Jean Davy, Louis Salou, Ginette Baudin. This isn’t a good movie, it’s a great movie—one of the best mysteries we’ve released in a long, long time. Blier is the rookie detective assigned to the murder-by-strangling cases of two young women. The only clue he has is that the killer is always heard softly singing a current hit tune before he strikes. The evidence soon points to the well-known singer who recorded the song. The singer has numerous dark secrets and is surrounded by other furtive types including his scar-faced manager, a beautiful ingénue, and a former-crook-turned-composer among others. Complicating all this is the fact that the detective and the police chief’s daughter are lovers on the sly. There are many great scenes, some of which will make you cringe with fright. Alone in the Night is a beautifully photographed film; the subtle use of light and shadows really enhances an overall sense of creepiness. It’s B&W cinematography at its best. Blier and Desmarets have many wonderful moments together and Salou is terrific as the witness who’s certain of the killer’s identity. A must. In French with English Subtitles, from 35mm.
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