Dortoir des grandes

Adapted from a novel by Stanislas-André Steeman this concerns the investigation into the strangulation of a pupil at a girls' private school. Considering the grisly subject this film is surprisingly lighthearted with some nice comedic touches. This mix is at times a little uneasy but the cast is fabulous and therein lies its main attraction. Jean Marais oozes star quality as Inspector Marco and is ably supported by Francoise Arnoul, Denise Grey, Katherine Kath and Dany Carrel.

Fascinating also to see a younger Jeanne Moreau a few years before her breakthrough roles for Louis Malle. Even here she has 'Ingredient X' in spades. Noel Roquevert is good value as always as a crusty restaurateur. I must confess that the appeal and popularity of Louis de Funes have always mystified me but here he is on screen for just long enough.

Cinematography is by Robert Lefebvre and production design by René Renoux whilst Georges van Parys contributes a delightful score.

One would have to say that the costumes by Rosine Delamare render all of 'les pensionnaires' utterly tantalising and the scene where Inspector Marco observes the girls as they perform their callisthenics on the lawn is priceless.

A very well made, entertaining film and although perhaps not one of Henri Decoin's best it is decidedly not one of his worst.

The last good adaptation of a Stanislas Andre Steeman novel ("18 Fantômes")for the screen,(Clouzot's ones were the best :"Quai Des Orfèvres" "L'Assassin Habite Au 21"),"Dortoir des Grandes " (=-big- girls dormitory) remains one of Henry Decoin's best movies in the fifties .

The director is at ease with a detective story which includes film noir touches and a lot of good humor.Jean Marais portrays a very handsome cop who investigates in a girls school where a murder was committed (one of the students).A bevy of gorgeous young girls makes his work worthwhile ,but they are not paragons of virtue ,as the straight headmistress (a wonderful Denise Grey) thinks they are.Don't they dress up as ghosts at night to scare the supervisor?And one of their pastimes the "tied -up" game -one of the girl learned in England ,in France we do not do such things of course!- consists of tying a girl to her bed :if she can free herself during the night,she wins!And what about the victim? Doesn't she own a movie-camera?And if she films the turkey waddling on the yard,she has also immortalized very bad things which happen behind the teachers' back.

A gallery of weirdos have detailed portraits in "Dortoir Des Grandes" : a female maths teacher who seems to be fond of girls (she says: "I couldn't kill her!I wouldn't destroy beauty"),a supervisor who's afraid of everything,a headmistress overtaken by events ;and in the village ,a photograph (Louis de Funès!)who likes to take photographs of the young ladies in swimsuit till something better comes along...Jeanne Moreau as a servant who is asked by the cop to spy on the victim's soon-to-be stepfather (this charming man has already tried to rape his stepdaughter).

This is an exciting thriller ,which displays a lot of dynamism ,with an excellent final scene which will remind old viewers of prize giving day.

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