A spineless snitch marries his ex's widow while her killer hunts him from prison. French noir doesn't play nice.
Mado loves Henry but is coveted by Bob Torquella, a dangerous gangster. The latter, mad with jealousy, is prepared to do everything to get rid of Henri. He and his accomplice involve him in a dangerous robbery. Henri is hurt and arrested by the police. But the young man, a weak character, denounces his accomplices. Two years later, the two gangsters run away from prison. Bob finds that Henri and Mado are husband and wife and have a daughter. In a panic, Henri runs for cover.
Acting
Paul Meurisse's volcanic jealousy; Massard's worm-turned-husband.
Direction
Chanas squeezes dread from every alleyway shadow.
Director
René Chanas
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
1953 French cinema was obsessed with collaborationist guilt; Henri's snitching echoes Occupation-era informants.
Madeleine Robinson was blacklisted briefly in the 1950s — her Mado has an edge of real-world resilience.
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