Name: L'étrange nuit de Noël
Genre: Crime
Released: 1939-08-17
Duration: 1 h 25 min
Rating: 5.7
Cast: André Brulé, Sylvia Bataille, Jean Servais

Second investigation by private eye Carter ,a Hercule Poirot ersatz , after "le château des quatre obèses ".

A wealthy stingy uncle is absent from his desirable castle ,and his nephews take the advantage of it to entertain their friends during the Reveillon on Christmas Night; the unexpected return of the squire spoils the party but shortly after , the wicked uncle is murdered and all the people in the place are suspects .

The first half is passable ,with the first scene using the telephones and a relatively mysterious atmosphere ; but the investigation is tedious , Yvan Noe's directing lacks in invention and when the private gathers all the suspects a la Hercule Poirot , the viewer doesn't really care anymore, as far as the identity of the killer is concerned ,in spite of a red herring , which tries to enliven things a bit.

Yvan Noe's best works would come later ,particularly "la cavalcade des heures" and "une mort sans importance ".

French-language cinema, whether in France, Québec, or other Francophone regions, explores cultural identity, social change, and the tension between the individual and society. French cinema is not only celebrated for its intellectual experimentation and auteur traditions, but also its success in mainstream comedy, romance, and commercial entertainment. In Québec, films often focus on questions of language, belonging, and community within a distinct cultural landscape.

Jean-Pierre Léaud in The 400 Blows (1959)

The crime genre features criminal activities, investigations, law enforcement, crimes, and the pursuit of justice. Crime stories often revolve around the planning, execution, and consequences of criminal acts, as well as the efforts to solve and prevent such acts. They explore various aspects of criminal behavior, motives, and the moral dilemmas faced by both perpetrators and those seeking to uphold the law.

James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)

With the help of the servants, André and Raymond invite their friends to their uncle's villa on Christmas Eve. They think he has gone hunting, but he returns home to surprise them.

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Streaming Stars, Then and Now

Pierre Alcover, Sylvia Bataille, André Brulé, Lucas Gridoux, and Jean Servais in L'étrange nuit de Noël (1939)

L'étrange nuit de Noël

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