The Murderer Lives at Number 21 1942
Henri-Georges Clouzot's *The Murderer Lives at Number 21 (1942)* blends dark humor with icy suspense as Commissaire Wens pursues a chilling serial killer in the shadowy streets of Paris.
Director: Henri-Georges Clouzot
Cast
Pierre Fresnay
Commissaire Wens
Suzy Delair
Mila Malou
Jean Tissier
Triquet
Pierre Larquey
Mr. Colin
Noël Roquevert
Dr. Linz
René Génin
Alfred
Jean Despeaux
Kid Robert
Marc Natol
Armand
Huguette Vivier
Nurse Vania
Odette Talazac
Madame Point
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Murderer Lives at Number 21 (1942) about?
Commissaire Wens tracks a ruthless murderer through the streets of Paris, only to find himself closing in on an unexpected suspect. The film twists through a series of darkly comedic encounters and nervous revelations, culminating in a showdown that tests the limits of deduction and fate.
Who directed The Murderer Lives at Number 21?
The film was directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot, a master of suspense whose sharp eye for atmosphere and psychological depth defined French noir.
Who stars in The Murderer Lives at Number 21?
The film stars Pierre Fresnay as Commissaire Wens, Suzy Delair as the quick-witted Mila Malou, and features Jean Tissier, Pierre Larquey, and Noël Roquevert in pivotal roles.
Is The Murderer Lives at Number 21 (1942) worth watching?
With its lean runtime, sharp dialogue, and Clouzot's signature tension, this early thriller offers a satisfying blend of mystery and wit. Fans of classic noir or cerebral comedies will find plenty to appreciate, even if it lacks the polish of Clouzot's later masterpieces.
How long is The Murderer Lives at Number 21?
The movie runs for 83 minutes, a tight and efficient runtime that keeps the story moving briskly.
🎥 Trailer
About The Murderer Lives at Number 21 (1942) — A chilling Parisian mystery with razor-sharp wit
Henri-Georges Clouzot's *The Murderer Lives at Number 21 (1942)* blends dark humor with icy suspense as Commissaire Wens pursues a chilling serial killer in the shadowy streets of Paris. The film unfolds with the precision of a surgeon's scalpel, teasing out clues amid a web of eccentric suspects—each hiding secrets as twisted as the crimes themselves. Clouzot crafts an atmosphere thick with tension, where laughter and dread intertwine like shadows in an alley, pulling viewers into a mystery that tests both wit and nerve. The compact 83-minute runtime races forward, never missing a beat, as the truth lurks just out of sight.
With a cast led by the magnetic Pierre Fresnay and the effortlessly charming Suzy Delair, *The Murderer Lives at Number 21* delivers a masterclass in blending genres—equal parts comedy, thriller, and whodunit. Clouzot's razor-sharp direction ensures every scene crackles with atmosphere, from the seedy underbelly of Paris to the claustrophobic confines of a boarding house where the killer may be hiding in plain sight.
