The Inspector Lavardin Collection: Back in 1984, Claude Chabrol, one of the French New Wave’s darkest chroniclers of the human condition, emerged from a period of artistic infertility to introduce one of the most underrated detective protagonists of modern times. That’s when he directed his first film with Inspector Jean Lavardin, played by the French comic actor Jean Poiret, … [Read more...]
The View From Home 54: A spooky double shot from René Clair, plus a slasher and wayward vampires
I Married a Witch and Beauty and the Devil: Given that these two titles were released just in time for Halloween, it’s hard to resist the sort of wordplay that writes itself: In René Clair’s I Married a Witch and Beauty and The Devil, cinematic tricks make for a pair of delectable audience treats. These two gorgeous transfers help solidify the reputation of one of France’s … [Read more...]