Le manoir du mystère

This is a fine adaptation of an original novel by Winston Graham. Most only know of Graham's 'Poldark' novels, however, he also penned thrillers and other historical novels many of which have been adapted for the screen. If you are a fan of 1950s British films and Jack Hawkins then this is for you.

A better than average crime noir that features Jack Hawkins as an insurance investigator drafted in, on Christmas Eve, to investigate a fire at a country house. When he gets there he discovers an old flame (Irene Dahl) married to the owner (Dennis Price). When he dies in a second fire at the house, Hawkins suspects that she was behind it for the insurance cash, but she convinces him not and they marry and all seems straightforward until a blackmailer rears his ugly head and together they have to try to get to the bottom of things. Hawkins is good in this, he keeps it all tense and although the plot does trip over itself once or twice, a good supporting cast including Ian Hunter and Geoffrey Keen make this quite an intriguing mystery with plenty of red herrings to keep us hooked.

Oliver Branwell (Jack Hawkins) is an insurance investigator. One of the cases he's assigned to brings Oliver a HUGE surprise...the claimant's wife is Sarah (Arlene Dahl)...a woman who disappeared out of his life some time ago. Later, Oliver has reason to suspect that Sarah and her husbands are crooks and they've sold cheap copies of paintings in their collection...keeping the originals. But before he can do anything, the evidence goes up in smoke when the manor home where Sarah and her husband had lived burns down...and Oliver nearly burns with it. While escaping from the fire, he discovers the body of Sarah's husband...and Oliver assumes he's been used. But because he is worried about exposing Sarah's possible crimes, he removes himself from the case. What's next? Well, a lot, as this only takes you to the middle of the story.

This is a VERY confusing film, so when you watch...watch carefully. Otherwise you'll find yourself going back to various portions to see them again so you can understand what has happened. The writing could have been better in this regard and the confusion is due to the writing...as the finale really didn't make a ton of sense. Otherwise, the acting is very good and the film is worth your time.

I saw this film when a child and it has haunted me ever since, mainly because of the very dark and disturbing dream sequences experienced by the insurance investigator played by Jack Hawkins.

These are typically Sidney Gilliat with glimpses of vignettes - a technique he has used elsewhere as in his later underrated thriller Endless Night. Brilliantly conceived.

As a previous reviewer has commented, the film captures London from the 50's very well - a London I remember as a kid so seeing it again by accident on afternoon TV recently was a nostalgic experience. A great old movie which should be on DVD.

Jack Hawkins is Oliver, an insurance adjuster who runs into a past love (Arlene Dahl) while on a case in "She Played with Fire."

While checking on a claim of fire in a mansion owned by Tracey Moredon (Dennis Price), he learns that Moredon has married his girlfriend, Sarah, from five years ago.

Later he discovers that a valuable painting ruined in the fire was actually sold to someone else. He later finds Moredon dead and suspects Sarah.

Decent noir with some gothic horror touches, with a nice performance from flirtatious Greta Gynt.

A neat twist at the end. A final note: my friend, Jack Larson, who knew everyone, said that of s the gorgeous women in Hollywood, Dahl was the most stunning.

3 likesJack Hawkins is Oliver, an insurance adjuster who runs into a past love (Arlene Dahl) while on a case in "She Played with Fire."

While checking on a claim of fire in a mansion owned by Tracey Moredon (Dennis Price), he learns that Moredon has married his girlfriend, Sarah, from five years ago.

Later he discovers that a valuable painting ruined in the fire was actually sold to someone else. He later finds Moredon dead and suspects Sarah.

Decent noir with some gothic horror touches, with a nice performance from flirtatious Greta Gynt.

A neat twist at the end. A final note: my friend, Jack Larson, who knew everyone, said that of s the gorgeous women in Hollywood, Dahl was the most stunning.

3 likesJack Hawkins is Oliver, an insurance adjuster who runs into a past love (Arlene Dahl) while on a case in "She Played with Fire."

While checking on a claim of fire in a mansion owned by Tracey Moredon (Dennis Price), he learns that Moredon has married his girlfriend, Sarah, from five years ago.

Later he discovers that a valuable painting ruined in the fire was actually sold to someone else. He later finds Moredon dead and suspects Sarah.

Decent noir with some gothic horror touches, with a nice performance from flirtatious Greta Gynt.

A neat twist at the end. A final note: my friend, Jack Larson, who knew everyone, said that of s the gorgeous women in Hollywood, Dahl was the most stunning.