Mon 22 Jan 2018
A Movie Review by Dan Stumpf: LES INTRIGANTES (1954).
Posted by Steve under Mystery movies , Reviews[7] Comments
LES INTRIGANTES. L’Alliance Générale de Distribution Cinématographique / Memnon Films, France, 1954. Also released as The Plotters and The Scheming Women. Raymond Rouleau, Jeanne Moreau, Raymond Pellegrin, Etchika Choureau, and Paul Demange. Written and directed by Henri Decoin, from a novel by Jacques Robert.
A fitting title for an intriguing not-quite-murder mystery that manages to quote from Alfred Hitchcock without slavishly imitating him. Set in a Theatre (like Stage Fright, and with a plucky young girl determined to prove her lover innocent) the story benefits from a marvelous sense of place, and a cast of vividly evoked actors, dancers, writers, wives etc., adding character and color to the proceedings.
The hook here is that we never see the actual killing, and in a visual medium like film, this is important. Thus we never know if the hero (Raymond Rouleau) is guilty or not, but he seems like a nice guy, even when the evidence starts mounting against him.
The killing itself involves the co-owner of the theatre where Rouleau is the other co-owner, falling from a catwalk. The only other person there at the time was Rouleau, who was on the catwalk with him. A bit suspicious that, but the Police haven’t got a case until Rouleau’s secretary (a fine beady-eyed portrayal by Raymond Pellegrin) says he was there and saw the co-owner get pushed. Also about this time, documents surface showing that the dead man was thinking of pulling out financial support, but with his death, Rouleau inherits everything.
So the story becomes not an attempt to prove Rouleau innocent, but to prove him not guilty. Which pits the plucky young girl who loves Rouleau against a lot of sophisticated and complex characters who would profit if he’s convicted — including Jeanne Moreau, looking very Dietrich-esque as his unfaithful wife.
There’s some strong writing and acting here, and there’s a cute in-joke: a little guy who keeps popping up wanting to talk to Rouleau and always just missing him. About the 3rd or 4th time he showed up, I figured he had some important clue to the whole thing, but everybody just maddeningly ignores him till the end — when there’s a surprise that gave me a hearty chuckle.
This isn’t easy to find, but those who can get a copy will discover an enjoyable and original little film to remember.
January 23rd, 2018 at 8:27 am
Hi! How are You All? Me have a cold and flu. Les Intrigantes is available watching on-line at
at that site, for those Who are interested and know French: https://ok.ru/video/187532708475
Jeanne Moreau here in French Canada, She was a big star and admired a lot and just like in Europe, She had an illustrious career and She left Us to be with the Lord just this past Summer, The French media over here in Canada talked about Her Life and there was a lot of coverage about Her leaving US. I do not watch TV, but when I went to see my Parents at the Cottage, It was on almost every day for a week. I know much of the other Performers, They were all very Superb and Professional and very good People.
The Producers of that movie were very spoiled to have a Cast like that. This is a rather rare film. I do not know How You got Your hands on that movie. I am new over here, I am a man of 50 years of age from Eastern Canada in the Province of New Brunswick, I have been passionate of classic films since my early twenties and for me it is pure culture and entertainment and pure language and no foul language and filthy things, horror films at that time was just like Scooby Doo, so we do not see any gross scenes that much, it was hidden way more than now. I really appreciate and like Your stupendous website and service. Continue All of You Your passion and to share it with Us, it is awesome. I have passion in Commercial and Business and Private Aviation and high speed rail and such and after I go to their websites I am always coming here after, so Your website is very important for me to discover culture that I do not know. Take good care and stay healthy and be safe and have a nice day all of You.
January 23rd, 2018 at 8:20 pm
Serge
Sorry to keep you waiting for me to approve your comment. My error. I didn’t see it until just now, but you should be pre-approved from now on. Thanks for the link. I’ll check it out. I never learned to speak or understand French (only enough to pass a reading test while in grad school) but there are no language barriers in just watching Jeanne Moreau on the screen.
Do stop by again!
January 23rd, 2018 at 10:42 am
Not a movie I know but you had me Dan as soon as I saw Jeanne Moreau’s name in the credits.
January 23rd, 2018 at 12:01 pm
I’d never heard of this film either.
In fact, I don’t think I’ve seen anything directed by Henri Decoin.
January 23rd, 2018 at 10:15 pm
Missed this one, but it will be interesting to contrast with STAGE FRIGHT.
No Moreau singing “I’m the Lazier Girl in Town” though I suspect.
January 23rd, 2018 at 10:21 pm
Hi! Me again. Do not worry about You being late to approve the posting, the most important thing is that We can share Our passion. Old French Movies are not as popular and there were less French Classic movies compare to English, My Parents were always watching the English classic movies instead of the French, because They were less accessible especially Old French movies done here in the Province of Quebec, that is why the French Actors and Actresses were traveling the two sides of the Atlantic(and still do), I think and I only think there was much more work and productions in France and in Europe. Those old French movies, I do not remember the titles of those movies, but they were very creaky and a lot of them were stories in the struggles in the settlements and such ordeals, this is what I remember at least.
I am not an expert very far from that. Between the French and English, the ambiance of the movies were not the same the budgets also, so from my point of view there are some gems in both. Take care and have a nice night or day.
P.S. Concerning the French media covering the remembrance of Jeanne Moreau, my Father was getting very annoyed by all this, because He wanted to know some other news locally and nationally, Dad was changing channels every five seconds. This is my Dad for You, He does not want to go in the past, He does not like that.
January 23rd, 2018 at 10:25 pm
Sorry me again. I forgot to say that from my point of view Jeanne Moreau had the same impact in French as Deborah Kerr in the English side. It is only my point of view, sometime I can be very of track and then some. Ciao!!