Six heures à perdre (1947)
Directed by Alex Joffé, Jean Lévitte

Film Review

Is there such a thing as a film noir comedy?  If there is then Six heures à perdre certainly fits this description, an obvious precursor to the thriller parodies that Georges Lautner (and others) would direct in a later decade - Le Monocle noir (1961), Les Tontons flingueurs (1963), etc.  Alex Joffé would go on to direct many more memorable films than this, including Fortunat (1960) and Le Tracassin (1961), but for his debut feature he acquits himself admirably, assisted by a weirdly schizophrenic script and superb cast.  André Luguet makes a charismatic and intensely likeable lead as the unnamed victim of a lethal case of mistaken identify supported by such capable performers as Denise Grey, Paulette Dubost, Dany Robin and a magnificent Pierre Larquey.  The film's desperately bleak ending cannot fail to come as a surprise and powerfully evokes the dark mood of pessimism that hung after France in the bitter aftermath of WWII.  Watch out for Louis de Funès, on screen for a brief moment as a chaffeur in one of his very first film appearances.

Film Synopsis

Breaking his long train journey in Paris, a traveller finds he has six hours at his disposal so he decides to wander around the city.  Imagine his surprise when he is accosted by perfect strangers and mistaken for the prominent diplomat, his Excellency Léopold de Witt.  Amused by this case of mistaken identity, the traveller decides to go on playing the part of the diplomat and soon finds himself luxuriating in de Witt's highly desirable official residence.  As he unwittingly creates pandemonium in the diplomat's household, the traveller is bothered by two sinister looking individuals who request that he hand over to them a vital envelope.  Of course the traveller has no idea who the strangers are, nor does he know what they want him to supply them with.  It is a mystery that tickles him.  Finally, having had his fun, the traveller goes on his way, not knowing that he is walking straight into an ambush.  He is about to become a very dead ringer...