L'orphelin

This movie has a nicely done setting in Switzerland that makes up to some degree for a slow and rather drab plot. It also benefits from some pretty good leading players in Madeleine Carroll and Ian Hunter.

The story takes place in a Swiss town where quite a few French children have found refuge during the war. An innkeeper couple (Carroll and Michael Rennie) disagree with each other about whether to adopt the orphaned French boy who has been staying with them, and they spend much of the film in a battle of wills. Hunter is a well-meaning doctor trying to prevent any unpleasantness.

The Swiss setting is nicely done with good photography, and the little town, the inn, and the mountains work well. The story itself is believable, but just not very eventful except for a couple of good dramatic moments. Overall it is an average film, mostly worthwhile for the scenery and setting.

Feeling as if it was based on a novel, but apparently not. Proudly declaring itself 'A Peak Production' in the opening credits, Madeleine Carroll's only postwar British film is at it's most eloquent outdoors when it's magnificent photography of the Swiss Alps recalls the German mountain films of the twenties, with husband Michael Rennie acting as if he too was hewn from granite. But whenever the characters move indoors and open their mouths it founders, was a resounding box office flop and Carroll soon afterwards quit movies for good.

There are some great camera-angles with some very abrupt, bizarre editing between simultaneous scenes.

Rennie's character is vile, but it is a treat to see Madeleine Carroll (in the usual persona) in one of her last roles. She gets a few really worthwhile scenes, and the director hovers on some good lip-trembling close-ups. It is a good performance and it was only to be wished that the director, with his splendid lighting director and quirky editor might not have produced something better paced. The climax is so risible that it must be seen.

And I did enjoy the many caricature supporting characters.

It comes up on TV sometimes. Worth a look if you like soap opera with amusing attempts at pseudo-psychology and use of odd camera-angles, and all in the Swiss Alps.