Les caves du Majestic

This film was made in the last year of German occupation, when conditions were really hard for the French. That's why you'll see women wearing fur coats in restaurant scenes for added warmth--there was hardly any coal left to heat buildings. The story is told well enough--we get Suzy Prim for about ten minutes at the start, when other versions dispense with her character altogether, and that's a bonus. Denise Grey as a lonely rich woman, Gabriello as Lucas and Rene Genin as Ramuel all do well. The problem is Prejean as Maigret.

I've seen him played by Gabin, Cremer, Gambon, Pierre Renoir and a few others, and I have to say Prejean is ineffective in the part. His reedy voice, slim figure and breezy, bullying manner just don't bring the man to life. The solidity and grace the character always showed are missing. One scene will serve to show what I mean: Maigret arrives at Donge's house to question him and his wife. Satirical remarks instead of probing questions are the style. We learn nothing here, when Gambon and Cremer make so much more of the material.