Le manoir du mystère

Director Gilliat pulls off a great film despite some loose ends that are hard to tie, as much as insurance investigator, Oliver Branwell (Jack Hawkins) tries to do it. One of them is Tricksie, the poodle pooch that appears once, then is looked for, and is not mentioned or seen again... but that is minor stuff.

The really good thing is that this noir doubles very effectively as a whodunnit, in the search for the murderer of Morton (Dennis Price) and the arsonist that sets fire to the mansion.

The cast is fantastic: even Bernard Miles, Christopher Lee, and Malcolm and Geoffrey Keen surface in small but high quality roles. Hawkins is as dependable and well-spoken as ever, stunning Arlene Dahl simply steals the show.

Excellent cinematography by Gerald Gibbs, including recurring nightmare sequence that does much to link the action together.

Recommended viewing.

It's Christmas Eve London. Insurance adjuster Oliver Branwell is sent to investigate a fire claim at a large manor. Tracey Moreton lives there with his mother and wife Sarah. Oliver and Sarah exchange knowing looks. They have history.

It's a British noir mystery thriller. The acting is a little old school melodramatic when they do the dramatic turns. I like the back and forth with the suspicion. There is some fine paranoid thriller material. It's pretty good.

Hawkins is an insurance investigator who coincidentally meets old flame Dahl who is married to dennis Price. The aftermath of this meeting includes two fires, a possible murder , blackmail and bigamy?? Sterling support from Geoffrey Keen and his real life father as Hawkins employers. There are enough red herrings here to keep everyone happy and Hawkins as always is superb. This is the kind of film that reminds everyone of an England that is no more. Slow cars, fur coats ,dancing and supper at a nightclub. Where Scotland yard looks it should and the coppers look like michael goodlife. The minor characters are well rounded and blend into a believable plot. And the old house in the fog coupled with the smoke from the fires remind us of the smog filled London of the 50s.

Oh how I love old British films.

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.

Engaging, Entertaining Mystery from a Top-Notch British Film-Crew with some Outstanding Dark and Fluid Cinematography, Direction and Acting.

Jack Dawkins and Arlene Dahl Headline this Plot-Twister that has Elements of a Late Film-Noir that Keeps Viewers Guessing while Unreeling some Dark Gothic Imagery.

The Ending has been Criticized as a Letdown, but Getting there is an Intense Atmosphere of Romanticism and Crime.

Doesn't quite Attain Hitchcock Level of Suspense but it's a Darn Good Try.

Good Supporting Actors Help the Dialog Heavy and Talky Tale Keeps You On-Your-Toes.

The Film is a Sleek Production that has the British Film Industry Firing on All Cylinders.

"She Played With Fire" is the American Title and "Fortune is a Woman" was the Original.

Nobody seemed to Like Either One.

Definitely Worth a Watch for Fans of American Film-Noir and Sleek Studio Movie-Making at its Finest.