The Face at the Window

Yes, this film is dated. Yes, it is muddled with every possible plot contrivance imaginable in a mystery-melodrama. But, this film stars one of the kings of the horror screen - a forgotten king named Tod Slaughter. And if you have never had the opportunity and privilege to see him on screen, then you are missing out on a pure cinematic joy. He is the hammiest of the hams with his eyes rolling incessantly, his mischievous leers, his over-pronounced dialogue, and his bombastic gestures. He makes Vincent Price look like an actor accustomed to giving understated performances. Plainly put - he is fun to watch! Slaughter was a British actor known primarily for his stage work but he made several pictures. As with all his films, he is the primary focal-point of attention, and A Face at the Window is no exception. This is a fun movie to watch and should make you a Tod Slaughter fan. The story of the movie is complicated and stretches credibility at times, but is to be taken in fun....that is apparent as soon as you see Slaughter say something and gesture about.

This was a fun wolf man film. It is true that Tod Slaughter is quite a bit of a 'ham' (like Vincent Price) and it is his performance that made the film fun to watch. This movie is a good watch if you enjoy the classics and werewolf films. The film is a horror film but has touches of comedy in it tastefully done.

Who is "The Face at the Window"? We have two plausible suspects: Chevalier Lucio del Gardo (Tod Slaughter) and Lucien Cortier (John Warwick) but could it be someone else? Don't expect this film to be anything like "Werewolf of London" or "Wolf Man" -- this flick it a different story than either of two mentioned films.

This movie would make a great manatee' or a rainy day film. I quite enjoyed this movie.

7/10

In 1880, the criminal called The Face is responsible for a murderous rampage in France. When the Brisson Bank is robbed in Paris and the employee Michelle is murdered, the wealthy Chevalier Lucio del Gardo (Tod Slaughter) is the only chance to save the bank. Chavalier proposes to the owner M. de Brisson (Aubrey Mallalieu) to deposit a large amount of gold, but in return he would like to marry his daughter Cecile (Marjorie Taylor). However, Cecile is in love with the efficient clerk Lucien Cortier (John Warwick) that belongs to the lower classes and refuses the engagement. In order to get rid off the rival, Chavalier uses evidences to incriminate Lucien, manipulating the incompetent Parisian chief of police.

"The Face at the Window" is dated and delightfully naive, but is also a great entertainment. The story has a despicable villain; the good guy is unfairly accused and has to prove his innocence; the heroine is extremely naive, but has strength to fight for her love; the chief of police is a complete stupid. Tod Slaughter performs another villain with his usual efficiency. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Um Vulto da Janela" ("A Face at the Window")

In THE FACE AT THE WINDOW, a murderer known as "The Wolf" is on the prowl in Paris, robbing and killing at will. Meanwhile, Chevalier. Lucio del Gardo (Tod Slaughter) sets out to marry a banker's daughter (Marjorie Taylor), who is much younger than he is.

No one plays these lecherous, wretched roles better than Mr. Slaughter! He's the Van Gogh of histrionic villainy! When del Gardo isn't busy killing people, he's framing his rival, so that he can wed the beautiful Cecile de Brisson (Marjorie Taylor).

Is this movie melodramatic to the extreme? Yes, but it's supposed to be. Mr. Slaughter's ham 'n' cheeeze approach fits in perfectly. We're treated to one of the Maestro's finest performances. This is highly entertaining stuff, complete with a nice mad science angle that comes in handy for the finale...

Tod Slaughter (1885-1956) was an unabashed and unapologetic purveyor of Victorian style stage melodrama. He had barnstormed throughout the English provinces during the early days of the Twentieth Century before serving in World War I.

By 1930, to stem the ever growing influx of Hollywood movies into England, a law was passed saying that 20% of all films had to be British made. In order to meet this goal, the "Quota Quickie" was established. These were essentially British B movies quickly and cheaply made to keep British artists and technicians employed. How they performed at the box office was of little concern.

Tod Slaughter's 8 QQ movies, shot between 1935-1940, were tailor made for that system. These were essentially his stage shows turned into film productions which were a cinematic capturing of a type of material and a style of performance that had flourished during the Victorian Era. This allows the viewer a glimpse into that time.

For those who have never seen him, think of Tod as a live action Snidely Whiplash (Dudley Do-Right's nemesis in ROCKY & BULLWINKLE). His most renowned film is SWEENEY TODD, THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET (1936) which served as the basis of the Stephen Sondheim musical (1979) and the Tim Burton movie with Johnny Depp (2007). Slaughter's most highly regarded movie (originally and today) is THE FACE IN THE WINDOW (1939).

The setting is 1880 Paris and a series of unsolved killings are committed by a criminal known only as "The Wolf" so called because right before a murder occurs the howl of a wolf is heard and a horrible visage is seen through a window. Could the mustache twirling, hand rubbing Chevalier Delgado be behind it all? We all know the answer to that question so it becomes a matter of going along for the ride and waiting for him to get his "just desserts".

This new restoration of FACE is part of a multi disc set. THE CRIMES OF TOD SLAUGHTER. Never has it or any of his other movies ever looked this good. If you would like to see the textbook definition of the word "Melodrama" then look no further. As Slaughter liked to say of his movies "They are full of "strong meat"...For more reviews visit The Capsule Critic.