Delitto sulla Costa Azzurra

This is the title of Hadley Chase's novel which was transferred to the screen by Denys de la Patellière who made turkeys by the dozen.Nevertheless,"retour de manivelle" (=it'll backfire on them)might probably be his finest hour,relatively speaking.This movie is suspenseful,absorbing and it never loses steam.

First the screenplay:it's a model of film noir:the suicide clause was canceled from Morgan's hubby's insurance contract.And he does commit suicide.Before dying,he tells her the only way to get the dough is to use the well known suicide made to look like a crime.But you know ,they were not really in love and she had become the chauffeur's lover.The lovebirds will run into difficulties when they apply the husband's suggested ominous plan.

Then ,the cast:Michele Morgan is wonderful as a gorgeous not-so-merry widow ;"I've always been bought" she keeps on saying.She is more than fed up with men.It's quite possible that sexual relations may become something loathsome to her.Daniel Gélin is as efficient as a naive chauffeur .A superb supporting cast includes Peter Van Eyck as the "dear" departed ,Bernard Blier-strangely ,his name does not appear in the cast and credits,but at the end of the movie.I do not understand why.Maybe an user will explain it some day- as a smart ironical captain,and Michèle Mercier in her pre-Angelique days.

Fine witty lines by Michel Audiard.Recommended to films noirs buffs.