Escale

Naval lieutenant Samson Fainsilber rescues good-time girl Colette Darfeuil. The two fall in love, and he has a month's leave, so he takes her to his island home. Then his leave is up, and although he promises to be back as soon as possible, her good intentions last about fifty seconds of screen time.

The story line of Louis Valray's second feature is more coherent than his first one, even though some old-fashioned tropes may offend the modern viewer. Once again, the story is carried along not just by the acting and story, but by the astonishingly fluid camerawork and editing. There's nothing there that will surprise the experienced movie fan, yet I found myself continually taking pleasure in things that seemed obvious.... once they had happened.

Although, as I have remarked elsewhere, the story makes more sense than his earlier feature, Valray certainly loves to punish the wicked, and draws out their dread doom. Still, it's remarkable he was unable to get a contract with a major studio or distributor. Perhaps he tried, but would not give up control.