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Mollenard
1938 Drama
Review
Towards the end of his successful and highly productive period in France, Robert Siodmak
directed a number of films that presage the great film
noir classics he would go on to make in Hollywood. One of these is Mollenard
, an atmospheric drama featuring two of the biggest names in French cinema at the
time – Harry Baur and Albert Préjean. Whilst the narrative crawls at a ponderous
pace and lacks the intensity and panache of Siodmak’s other work, it is a film that is
beautifully shot, particularly the moody and distinctly noir
sequences in a remarkable studio-recreation of 1930s Shanghai. Justifying
his reputation as one of the greatest French actors of his time, Harry Baur gives a performance
that is both convincing and devastatingly poignant, and there are some memorable contributions
from his distinguished co-stars, Gabrielle Dorziat and Albert Préjean.
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Director:
Robert Siodmak
Starring: Harry Baur, Albert Préjean, Gabrielle Dorziat, Jean Clarens, Lucien Coëdel Synopsis
Captain Justin Mollenard works for a company that sells armaments to the Far East.
After an eventful stay in Shanghai, where he and his cargo are the victim of a malicious
attack, he returns to his hometown of Dunkirk. Mollenard receives a frosty welcome
from his wife Mathilde, who resents the way in which he has neglected his family for so
many years. Mollenard’s only wish is to get back to sea as soon as he can, but a
sudden heart-attack leaves him paralysed and entirely in his wife’s power...
Credits
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