The House of the Arrow

This was screened several times, and no wonder, since the plot is a mystery that even transcends most of Agatha Christie's professional mysteries. Poisoning is supected, but no trace of any poison can be found. The sole heiress immediately becomes implicated and accused, but no proof can be found against her. A lovely maid is another suspect, but her innocence actually leads to solving the mystery in the end. A jealous cousin becomes seriously suspected by the police from the beginning, since he so vehemently accuses the heiress, but he has to take everything back. No one can guess the outcome, which will be a surprise. Oskar Homolka as the police investigator gloriously dominates the film and adds to its picturesque character of mystery veiled in enigmas, and it must be one of his best films. The music is also perfect, suits the mood exactly, like Anton Karas' cither in "The Third Man", and is actually a major enjoyment in the film. The cinematography is also interesting for its depth and fascinating treatment of the environment in spite of the settings being rather clastrophobic, but the film surmounts that temptation. In brief, a golden treat for lovers of criminal mysteries.

When beautiful heiress Betty Harlowe (Yvonne Furneaux) is accused and -quickly- cleared of her adoptive mother's murder, Inspector Hanaud (Oskar Homolka) is on the case. He's convinced that mum was indeed murdered in spite of Ms. Harlowe's being exonerated.

THE HOUSE OF THE ARROW is a superior detective story with a method of homicide that's quite out of the ordinary. Homolka's Hanaud is as humorous as he is doggedly determined. Ms. Furneaux has to be one of the most gorgeous creatures to ever be on screen! She's exceptional here.

This movie also features a truly surprising denouement...

A French police inspector (Oscar Homolka) questions the heiress (Yvonne Furneaux) of a rich widow killed by a poison arrow, thanks to the heiress' jealous cousin who claims that his sister had been murdered and vehemently accuses the heiress. He himself becomes seriously suspected by the police ...

But then the autopsy proves that the lady wasn't poisoned, however, the inspector believes she was murdered and that by a rare arrow containing poison.

I found this quite enjoyable with its brilliant atmosphere, French organ music, its continental appeal and an eccentric inspector, but I was also left trailing with the mystery details. For example, the victim's autopsy was proven not to be poisoned, but an arrow poison killed her. Maybe a rare poison that does want show up in tests.

Oscar Hamolka was one of those actors who dominate films.He outacts everyone on the screen by virtue of his personality and his acting tricks.It is therefore strange that his performance in this film is so little known.The beginning of the film has certain linguistic difficulties.Chaeacters constantly start their speecehes in French and are then told to speak in English by Homolka,who clearly speaks excellent French.Homolka was Austrian but played many nationalities including as here ,French.This murder mystery is well developed with a number of hidden surprises revealed at the denouement.Certainly worthy of greater recognition.

This is a fun and enjoyable little mystery film, with a terrific performance by character actor Oscar Homolka, giving him a rare opportunity to play the leading role, Inspector Hanaud.

Homolka appeared in dozens of movies and TV shows throughout his career, including a recurring character in both Funeral in Berlin and Billion Dollar Brain, Mr. Sardonicus, War and Peace, and a number of projects with Hitchcock on both big and small screen. I've always enjoyed his work, but he's a standout in this, simply first rate.

He's joined by the actress Yvonne Furneaux, so memorable in Polanski's Repulsion as well as in Fellini's La Dolce Vita and Hammer's version of The Mummy.

The story is good with some nice twists and turns and the production is excellent. Recommended.