Le Mystère Saint-Val (1945)
Directed by René Le Hénaff

Film Review

The first film that Fernandel appeared in after the Liberation of France in 1944, Le Mystère Saint-Val is one of his less successful comedies, one that lazily recycles that incredibly overused mainstay of stage and screen, the old dark house murder mystery.  Released in France just over a month before René Clair's And Then There Were None was first screened in the United States, the film appropriates the same 'Ten Little Indians' plot and gives it a distinctly unfunny comic twist.  The film was probably far more digestible when it was first seen, with several musical numbers that have been inexplicably removed in the version that is currently available, but it is clearly not Fernandel's finest hour.  The gags (if you can call them that) are mostly predictable, the plot too hackneyed and pedestrian to be of much interest, and the unimaginative pay-off definitely does not reward the spectator's effort.  The only consolation is Pierre Renoir, looking as sinister as ever in a rare comedic outing.  The fact that he is as ill-used as Fernandel in this comedy misfire makes the film resemble a devious form of punishment for both actors' association with Continental Films during the Occupation.

Film Synopsis

Désiré Le Sec works for an insurance company owned by his uncle but has aspirations of being a great detective.  When the owner of a grand château dies in mysterious circumstances, Désiré is sent to investigate and soon concludes that foul play is at work.  If the dead man was murdered, there is certainly no shortage of suspects.  Désiré's suspicions are confirmed when, the following night, the lady of the household is murdered in her bedroom.  Dr Dartignac notices a small mark behind the ear of the dead woman and concludes she was struck with a poisoned dart.  Who can be responsible for these killings?  Could it be the strange Max Robertal, the dumb servant girl Rose or the valet Antoine?  Evidently not, since these are the murderer's next three victims.  That just leaves Suzy, the girl Désiré has fallen in love with, and Dr Dartignac.  When they too are sent to meet their maker, Désiré can draw only one conclusion.  He is the killer!