The Murderer Lives at Number 21

The Murderer Lives at NumberFrench LAssassin habite au is a 1942 French comedy thriller film by director HenriGeorges Clouzot. Written by Clouzot and Belgian writer StanislasAndr Steeman same title published 1939, it was Clouzots debut feature film. The film is about the hunt by detective Wens Pierre Fresnay for the murderer Monsieur Durand, who leaves calling cards and manages to be everywhere at once. With the aspiring actress Mila Malou Suzy Delair, Wens follows clues to a seedy boarding house where he hopes to find the murderer.

Inspector Wenceslas Vorobechik referred to as Wens for short is assigned the case of a serial killer who leaves a calling card with the name Monsieur Durand on his victims. Wens mistress is the ditsy struggling actress Mila Malou who is determined to get noticed, and attempts to help Wens find the criminal. Wens discovers that Durand is a tenant at a boarding house at No.Avenue Junot. Wens takes a room at the house in disguise as a Protestant minister. Suspects are arrested, but while each is in jail another Durand murder occurs. Both Mila and Wens discover who is responsible for the murders. Wens is captured, and as he is about to be killed Mila and the police arrive and rescue him.The Murderer Lives at Numberwas the first feature film directed by HenriGeorges Clouzot and was the fourth screenplay he wrote for the Naziowned company Continental Films. The budget for the film was considered to be quite generous and included materials that were extravagant by prewar standards. As American films were banned during the German occupation of France during World War II, Continental Films aimed at quality and commercial success in their pictures and produced films that were to take the place of the American films. The Murderer Lives at Numberis a thriller with light comedic elements, which was the style of most mystery films during the occupation. ........

Source: Wikipedia