L'assassin habite... au 21 (The Murderer Lives at Number 21) (1942)
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81% of users liked it
(122 ratings)
Director Henri-Georges Clouzot's maiden feature-length effort was the intricate mystery thriller The Murderer Lives at Number 21 (L'Assassin habite au 21). Businesslike homicide detective Wens (Pierre Fresnay) goes on the prowl for a methodical mass murderer, who seemingly manages to be… More Director Henri-Georges Clouzot's maiden feature-length effort was the intricate mystery thriller The Murderer Lives at Number 21 (L'Assassin habite au 21). Businesslike homicide detective Wens (Pierre Fresnay) goes on the prowl for a methodical mass murderer, who seemingly manages to be everywhere at once. Following a confusing trail of clues to a seedy boarding house, Wens disguises himself as a clergyman in order to gain the confidence of the boarders, hoping that one of them will make "that fatal slip." All of the boarders are eventually taken into custody, only to be released when the murders continue unabated. Wens cracks the case when he figures out that the seemingly contradictory clues are the by-product of a bizarre conspiracy. Filmed in 1942 under wartime conditions, The Murderer Lives at Number 21 was finally released in the U.S. five years later. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Henri-Georges Clouzot
- Written By
- Stanislas-André Steeman, Henri-Georges Clouzot
- Genres
- Drama, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense, Classics, Comedy
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Aug 6, 1942 Wide
- Studio
- Criterion Collection
Critic Reviews
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Diverting serio-comic thriller.
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Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
A curiously slaphappy whodunit
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David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...routine and banal...
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Suzy Delair
as Mila Malou
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Pierre Fresnay
as Wens
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Noël Roquevert
as Dr. Linz
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Pierre Larquey
as Colin
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Jean Tissier
as Prof. Lalah Poor
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Maximilienne
as 'Une vraie jeune fille'
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Raymond Bussières
as Jean-Baptiste Turelot
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André Gabriello
as Sergent de ville
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Rene Genin
as Alfred le vagabond
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Odette Talazac
as Mrs. Point la proprietaire
