An Osso Films Production
Assistant Director – André Cerf, Dimitri Dragomir
Cinematography – Georges Périnal
Sound – Roger Handjian
Editor – Suzanne Vial
Recorded using the RCA Photophone Process
Costume Design – Jacques Manuel
Production Design – Pierre Schild
Production Manager – Maurice Orienter
Starring: Huguette Duflos
Kissa Kouprine, Wera Engels
Marcel Vibert
Edmond Van Daële, Henri Kerny
with Léon Belières and Roland Toutain
Directed by Marcel L'Herbier
Based on the celebrated novel by Gaston Leroux
The Scent of the Lady in Black
Epilog to the Mystery of the Yellow Room
Mathilde Stangerson, after 2 attempts on her life by the murderer Ballmeyer...
...today marries Robert Darzac, previously accused of the double crime
There's nothing to laugh about!
I assure you, gentlemen, there was nothing funny about the Yellow Room affair!
So spare me your jokes
We know, but...
It's clear you weren't there! I was
You're just being mean
Well, gentlemen, to work. Sit down
I have to leave soon for Mlle Stangerson's wedding
Have you read Le Grand Tribune, boss?
No
“One mystery still remains in the Mystery of the Yellow Room”
We all recall the spectacular conclusion to the Yellow Room affair two months ago
Before the Court of Assizes, the journalist Joseph Rouletabille...
...succeeded in proving the innocence of Mlle Stangerson's fiancé...
...Robert Darzac, who had been accused of two attempts to kill her
Well, everyone knows that; there's nothing unusual here
It is well known that the true culprit...
...a false police inspector going by the name of Frederic Larsan...
...was none other than the notorious criminal Ballmeyer
Unmasked by Rouletabille, and forced to confess his crimes...
...Ballmeyer committed suicide by taking poison in the courtroom
However, today we pose this troubling question:
IS LARSAN REALLY DEAD?
Well, if he isn't dead...
Rouletabille!
Gentlemen, you may go
Leave us alone
Excuse me – I was in such a hurry!
You could have at least knocked
I did!
Ah, I see you've read Le Grand Tribune
I don't believe everything I read in the papers
What if I told you that the police have doubts?
What? They think Larsan might not be dead?
I've just come from police headquarters
I learned that today Larsan's body is going to be exhumed!
But why?
To see if he's still in his coffin
And if he isn't?
Then he's alive
And if he's alive?
Then he isn't dead!
Obviously
Just enough time. I'm going to Rouen
What? You're not coming to Mlle Stangerson's wedding?
Impossible!
I want to see Larsan in his coffin with my own eyes
You're crazy! --- Why?
Because if Larsan is alive, this marriage will be a catastrophe
You think so? --- Of course!
Larsan will take action - he won't let her marry Darzac
He'll... Listen, you must come. You have to protect her
But you'll be there!
Of course...yes
Goodbye, boss! Courage!
And they call this 'a quiet wedding'!
Well, Warden, have you followed my orders?
Yes, indeed, Inspector
No journalists, eh?
No, no journalists!
Alright, gentlemen
Mathilde Danielle Stangerson do you take Robert André Darzac to be your husband?
Sand!
Nothing but sand!
Well, if that don't beat all!
So there we are!
I thought this wedding would never take place, after so many delays
The trial, first of all
And then poor Mr. Stangerson died!
And Mademoiselle had to go to a sanitorium...
...after her nervous breakdown
With good reason!
Ah, sir, you know a thing or two about it!
Look at Mathilde Stangerson
She still has crazy eyes
Thank you for coming!
Mr. Brignolles, Mr. Darzac's cousin
Mr. Sainclair
Pleased to meet you
Ah, Mr. Sainclair!
How nice of you to come!
Oh, naturally!
But where is Rouletabille?
I don't understand it
He must have been held up at the paper
Listen, Mr. Sainclair, my husband and I are leaving in an hour for Menton
I simply must see Rouletabille!
I understand
Bring him to see me at the station
Of course
You can count on me – we'll be there on the dot
Good of you to come!
Thank you for coming!
Well, naturally!
Hello Mr. Sainclair!
Naturally!
What do you mean, 'naturally'?
Because...you look so well...
...so I think, 'Naturally! She's happy!'
Yes, I'm very happy
Well, have a nice trip
We're going to stay with a charming friend
Edith Rance. She's German, married to an American
A rich American, naturally
Her husband is always in America
She has a large chateau overlooking the water, near Monte Carlo
Hello!
Naturally, you're taking some staff along with you
Of course! You know Old Jacques, our butler
And Marie, my maid
She was so devoted to me when I was sick
She's more like a friend now
Oh, good!
Mr. Sainclair, have you seen Rouletabille?
He'll be here shortly --- But have you seen him?
No... Yes...
He phoned...he'll be along
Mr. Darzac, let me put this in Mrs. Darzac's compartment
What number is it?
Number 9, but you don't have to -
Terrible news:
Rouletabille just phoned from Rouen;
Larsan is not dead
What do you mean?
They opened his coffin and found nothing
Nothing?
Just some bags of sand
But he poisoned himself in the courtroom!
A fake poison...
...a drug to simulate death for several hours...
...then an accomplice... well, you can imagine the rest
It's true? --- Yes!
What will happen to us?
What's wrong? --- Nothing, dear!
You're hiding something!
No, dear, nothing!
Why isn't Rouletabille here yet?
What are you doing in my bed?
Nothing!
I made a mistake...sorry
Goodbye Mr. Brignolles!
Goodbye, dear Mrs... I mean, dear cousin!
Mr. Sainclair, could you please give this letter to Rouletabille?
I badly need to see him, and he didn't come
I promise --- Thank you!
I hope you didn't say anything to my wife
Of course not --- She is so nervous
Above all, don't leave her alone
Larsan could be hiding anywhere
See you soon
You're just getting here now?
Just a minute!
This is Mr. Brignolles, Mr. Darzac's cousin
Pleased to meet you, sir!
What's wrong with you?
Since your call, I've been seeing Larsan everywhere
Oh, you're crazy!
Get in!
But I have to go home first to change!
Don't worry about it! – Where are we going, anyway?
Following the scent of the lady in black!
I begin to understand!
Our hunt for the scent of the lady in black...
...will take us to the Côte d'Azur
You've got it!
But we must get there before the Darzacs
I don't care too much for speed, but I think you're right
We must get there as fast as possible
Why?
I've thought about it, and I'm sure of one thing
What?
Larsan is on the train!
Oh, you see Larsan everywhere!
Maybe. But you know his uncanny ability to change appearance...
...to transform himself, to disguise his features
Everyone knows that Larsan is a man of a hundred faces
That's why I'm sure Larsan is on the train
And how do I know?
He's disguised himself as an eccentric old American!
My dear boy, a beard, moustache, glasses, an old overcoat...
Relax, boss – Larsan is not on the train
We'll see
What's wrong? --- Larsan!
No, no, Madame, don't go
If only Rouletabille had come!
He hurt you! --- It's nothing
A window broke
Get the bandages, Marie
Did you see him?
No, there was no one! And Larsan has not come back!
Larsan is dead!
Get me L'Epoque in Paris
What do you want?
L'Epoque in Paris – the newspaper
Rouletabille, you're calling the paper?
Tell them to send an overnight bag and a change of clothes
Oh, and a pair of sandals!
Listen, boss, when you get there, you won't have time to change!
A call for you from Lyons
We're through
Hello?
There's a telegram for you!
For me?
Read it to me
Just a minute
“Help”
Signed, “Mathilde”
Where was it sent from?
From Laroche
What time? --- 17:18
Thank you!
Quickly, boss! --- But we haven't eaten!
We have to drive all night!
Oh, what a trip!
Sir, the payment -
Stop! --- No!
I need to get out! --- We can't!
I forgot to give you this letter!
Mathilde Darzac asked me to give it to you!
Mr. Rouletabille: I leave without having seen you...
...but I very much need to speak to you.
Besides Robert Darzac, only you know of my previous marriage to Larsan...
...and you saved me from him when you drove him to take poison.
Now he is dead, I have remarried, and I have only one wish:...
...to find the child from my unfortunate marriage.
I sent him to school in Rouen. He disappeared.
For 10 years I've searched for him in vain.
I beg you to help me find my son. - Mathilde
Larsan!
Quick, boss, let's go!
You can finish that some other time!
Easy for you to say!
What's up?
I know Larsan wasn't on the train - he just passed us!
Quickly!
You're not thinking! Get in, get in!
This is maddening!
Didn't you know Larsan was alive? --- Of course!
You think you're smarter than everyone else?
Why did you write in the paper that Larsan was dead?
Oh, that... It was to spare someone's feelings...
...to reassure the lady in black
Look where you're going!
You look where you're going!
Are you drunk?
What do you think you're doing? --- Jerk!
Look at the damage!
Good Lord, it's flat!
Just what we need!
Hey, boss, where are you going? Come back!
What do you want?
Get me the jack
The jack?
Ah, yes, the jack!
Oh, Mathilde, dear! I'm so happy to have you here!
I hope you enjoy yourself
I'm sure we will!
Well, get some rest!
See you later!
How is Mathilde? --- Great! Very happy!
I think marriage suits her!
Listen!
There he is!
What luck! We'll have a great time
He plays the violin like nothing on earth
Who?
Him, Prince Galitsch!
I'll introduce you
Is that you, Robert?
Robert, is it you?
Keep quiet!
I just came to congratulate the bride
Surprised?
I didn't do anything to prevent it
I figured it was more in my interest to let your wedding go ahead
And now you'll come with me
Or else everyone will know that you're my wife...
...and that you have 2 husbands!
Let me go! You revolt me!
Choose – shall I speak or stay silent?
Let me go! Let me go!
Stop!
Stop! Stop!
I'm expected, I tell you!
Will you come with me or not?
No – never!
Never? --- Never!
Is Mrs. Darzac there?
What did you see?
It's that maniac who hit us on the way here
You're right!
Robert!
Call him! Call Robert!
He's the one – do you hear me?...
...the one who'll lead you straight to me!
Help!
It's Mathilde!
Good God!
Help!
Larsan! Did you see him?
My poor Mathilde! --- Yes, quickly!
Darling! What happened?
Nothing
Old Jacques? What are you doing here?
What do you mean?
Here, Polly! Here!
What's wrong?
Is Rouletabille here?
I must see him at once!
Of course, my dear
I'll get him
Larsan!
It's Larsan!
What are you doing?
It's Larsan! He's just taken poison!
Let him go!
He's not Larsan – it's Mr. Dagwood!
Not Dagwood!
Everyone calls me Old Bob!
Mr. Dagwood is a friend of my husband's
A member of the Academy of Science in Washington
If I understand correctly, you scarcely know this gentleman!
Exactly! Since this morning
Mr. Bob just arrived from Paris, and my husband asked me to receive him
He does research in – what did you say?
Research in Paleontology
He collects old bones and skulls!
In any case, you should apologize
What? Never!
Of course
Mr. Sainclair is ready to apologize...
...on condition this gentleman does the same
Why?
You ran into us on the road coming here
Oh, my parrot!
Who's the idiot who let it out?
Mrs. Darzac wishes to speak to you
It was Larsan!
He got away from me, but he won't get away forever
You must be free of him!
You read my letter?
Yes, Ma'am, I read it
I've even gone looking for what you requested
Where? --- In my memories
What do you mean?
I had a friend who went to school in Rouen
He was about the same age as your son
My son!
My little one!
I couldn't tell you everything in my letter
My son ran away from school when he was 10
I never had any news of him – nothing
I believe that he is dead
If your son was my friend, the one I told you about...
...then he can't be dead!
Maybe he wanted you to think so!
But why? Why put me through such misery?
Perhaps to spare you pain
I don't understand
Suppose that this boy suddenly found out that his father was a crook and a killer
Oh, stop! Stop!
He wouldn't have wanted to remind you of a husband you hated
But you...did you sometimes see your friend's mother?
Yes, I remember
A very beautiful woman...
...in black, always in black
She had such a lovely perfume, it filled the whole room
I'll never forget that perfume
I'll never forget...her
I mean, my friend would never forget -
Your friend... Don't lie!
It's not your friend!
It's you! You are...
You are...
My little one!
Larsan!
The vicarage...
He's going...to swallow...
Breakfast is served!
What?
Breakfast is waiting
Breakfast?
Yes sir, it's ready for you
Alright...I'm ready...I'm coming
And Rouletabille?
Mr. Rouletabille got up early
He's gone out on the rocks with a sandwich
Looking for Larsan
My apologies, Madame
The ladies aren't here?
Prince Galitsch?
Mr. Bob?
Mr. Darzac?
Mr. Darzac is not happy – he's outside, by himself
Mrs. Darzac seems afraid of him
Afraid of him!
I can't take it any more
This obsession is crushing! --- I understand
I must take my wife away
But where? --- Far from here
I'm going to the station to make arrangements
My poor friend!
A little more cheese, please
It's agreed...
Tonight, 11:00, at the chateau gate
Jacques!
Let's play
Sir?
You are devoted to Mrs. Darzac, aren't you?
Of course! Poor Mrs. Darzac!
Then do what I say: it's essential
It's 4:45
Take your gun and guard the hall outside Mr. and Mrs. Darzac's room
Outside Mr. and Mrs. Darzac's room
Except for Mrs. and Mrs. Darzac, let no one enter the room!
No one!
Understand?
Yes sir!
Have you seen Mr. Sainclair?
He's up on the tower, watching
What are you doing here?
Watching
Anything happen?
No, everything's quiet
What's Darzac doing?
He's gone out
He said he was going to the station to get tickets
He wants to take his wife away tonight
Where?
Far away
You know, I found Mr. Darzac a little odd
Ah, I start to understand!
Quick, find Darzac and tell him he must stay here at least until tomorrow
Right
Why tomorrow?
Because lots of things will happen tonight
Tonight? Already?
Good! Then I can get some sleep!
Has Mr. Darzac come back?
No, not yet
At least, I don't think so
Go and check, Marie
No, no, just put that away
Mr. Darzac is there?
He came back at 5:00
Good! --- Sorry!
Sorry, Mr. Sainclair, but you can't go in
No? --- Rouletabille's orders
Rouletabille told me -
My orders are let in Mr. and Mrs. Darzac - no one else!
I talked to Rouletabille!
Talk all you like!
Please reserve two best rooms - Darzac
What, you're still here?
Look who's standing around like a stick in the mud!
Mind your manners, eh?
It'd be better to watch undercover
Go mind your own business
Mind your manners
Hey!
Jacques!
Look at this!
Oh, my skull!
It's stained!
Oh, the scoundrel!
Someone stained my skull!
The oldest one I have
Ink stains on my skull!
You must convince your husband to stay the night
Don't ask that
You must! Trust me
Alright
I'm sorry to abuse your hospitality, but all entrances must be sealed at once
What?
So no one can either enter or, especially, leave
If you like
At least, Mr. Rouletabille, something amusing will happen tonight?
Very amusing, without a doubt
Good
Boss, I'm going to check myself that everything is secure
Well, Mr. Sainclair, already dressed?
Yes, Madame
This dinner will be very amusing!
I hope so
What fog!
Aren't you scared, Rouletabille?
It's not the worst thing
What are you doing?
You'll see
Defending against outside attacks
Yes. Unfortunately, not against inside ones
The danger is inside?
Everything is closed so it can't get out
Larsan is...inside?
Larsan is here
Hidden as one of us; who knows which one?
You're joking!
Watch out, boss...
...you might be Larsan!
Good day!
No, it's 'good evening', Professor!
Good evening!
Why did you meet with Larsan earlier today?
Larsan! I never saw Larsan!
You were together around 4:00
Me? I was just at the station, getting tickets
You're wrong not to confide in me, Mr. Darzac
I give you my word, I have nothing to confide!
As you please
Dinner is served
You look lovely, Mathilde!
Is this my place? Thanks!
Listen – you know what I call this dinner?
“The Crime Dinner”!
It's very funny, right? --- Yes, very funny!
What a horrible sound!
It's a foghorn
The fog is very thick this evening
True, at this time of year it's normal to have fog
Yes...it's a foghorn
I've always regretted not learning English or German
During the Balkan War, I noticed...
You were in the War?
Oh, yes, as a reporter...
What's that?
It's the parrot again!
I'm scared!
Didn't you call this “The Crime Dinner”?
Look!
Marie!
Madame, I must speak to you
Not now!
We'll speak later, Marie
It's really not the appropriate time
As you wish
It's Marie!
Turn on the lights!
Well?
She's dead
Who did it?
We were all at the table when she screamed and the light went out
She could have screamed the first time for any number of reasons...
...for example, perhaps she saw the statue fall
But who? --- An accomplice!
Who at that moment put out the lights to enable another person -
Who? --- A criminal; the hidden mastermind
You mean that it could be one of us?
I say nothing
I search
Listen!
The poor girl knew something
She was struck with this
It's his femur!
A femur! By Heaven!
It's you! You stole it!
You killed her! You are Larsan!
You are Larsan! --- It's him!
One thing is proven: the killer is in the chateau
And the chateau is hermetically sealed, like a safe
He can't get out
We will discover him tonight
Poor Marie! Can we do something for her?
I don't think anyone is very hungry now
Everyone must go to their room and lock the door
Good idea – goodnight
Sorry, boss. I need you to stay with me
Too bad
Poor Marie!
I understand
She was so devoted to you
Robert! Someone is here!
Let me get the light
I'll get help!
Don't shout! Don't shout!
You've killed him
My God!
Don't move
What are we going to do?
Go get old Jacques to help us
Tell him to get a sack - to hide the body
To hide it and throw it in the sea
Jacques! Jacques!
Help us, I beg you
A sack!
There it is
The circle is closed
Listen!
My God! My God!
What has happened?
Oh leave me, leave me!
I beg you to tell me!
Larsan was hiding in the room
He attacked Robert, and Robert strangled him
Where is the body? --- I don't know
Robert got rid of it
Robert!
Tell everyone to come here
Now? --- At once!
We're going to get to the bottom of this
Mrs. Darzac, will you and your husband please come down?
Rouletabille wants to talk to you
Yes, yes! We're coming
Quickly, Jacques, tell Mrs. Edith and Mr. Galitsch to come down at once
Mr. Bob!
Look!
This ink takes exactly 7 minutes to dry
What does that mean?
It means that Mr. Darzac's telegram was written at 5:55 at the latest
At 6:00 the ink was still wet, and it stained the skull – remember?
That's right!
Where is Mr. Bob?
I don't know. He's gone
Disappeared!
It doesn't matter
Doesn't matter? --- No
I'm sorry to have bothered you, but it was necessary
Larsan is dead
A few moments ago, Mr. Darzac disposed of him
So Larsan was Old Bob!
That's the second person killed under my roof!
You might have warned me!
What would be the point?
Mrs. Rance, may I call your 4 servants?
They could be useful
Feel free
Mr. Darzac, why do you hang back?
We're all supportive of your act
Even if Mr. Sainclair claims that the Larsan you killed was really Old Bob
What? You've killed Old Bob?
It can't be!
I found the parrot in the cellar...
...where I was looking for --- That'll do, Mr. Bob
Listen – here is something very strange
We're all here – no one is missing
No one could leave or enter the chateau
All exits are sealed
Yet someone was strangled by Mr. Darzac a few moments ago
Someone – Who?
An additional person...
...an extra body!
He's right!
It's odd
Unless...
Unless one of us is double:
Two people in one
Mr. Darzac, you went to your room at 5:00
You didn't leave it again until dinner
That's right
Jacques, you confirm?
He went to his room at 5:00 and didn't leave again
But when Mr. Darzac wrote a telegram the ink was still wet at 6:00...
...since that's when the wet ink stained Old Bob's skull
That's true!
The skull was stained at 6:00
Different inks take longer to dry
This ink dries in 7 minutes; I tested it myself
We must then admit that there are 2 Darzacs:
One who went into his room at 5:00...
...and another one who wrote this telegram at 5:55
Clever
What are you saying?
There is an extra body...
...an extra Darzac
Larsan did not come to the chateau; he wasn't killed
It was a Darzac, admitted by Marie, who went to the room and hid there...
...then waited for the other Darzac and killed him after dinner
Incredible!
It's horrible!
Yes, it's horrible
Because if you aren't the real Darzac...
...if you're a lookalike - a cousin, for example...
...an identical cousin who could fool us...
...then you strangled the real Darzac!
You watched and waited to get him out of the way...
...so you could lead Mrs. Darzac to your accomplice...
...Larsan himself!
My dear Rouletabille, you're crazy!
It's Larsan who was hidden in the room;
Larsan whom I killed...
...and Larsan who killed Marie because she was devoted to my wife
Marie was not devoted to Mrs. Darzac
She was ambitious and jealous of her mistress – her benefactress
It's not true! Marie couldn't have hurt me!
Maybe – but she was fond of money...
...she was willing to become a criminal's accomplice
What criminal?
A man who attached himself to the girl: You!
You tried to make Darzac disappear;
You caught Marie when she was alone in the vestibule
You planned to turn Mrs. Darzac over to Larsan
You're the one I saw on the rocks at noon
You're mad!
Larsan was waiting for you!
You're mad!
You're not Darzac!
You are Brignolles!
Where's your proof?
Fake scar!
Let me go!
Robert! He killed Robert!
Not a word! Don't move! Or I'll kill you!
Don't worry, your husband is not dead
He wasn't strong enough to finish him off by throwing him in the sea
The sack caught on a rock
I was able to rescue Darzac, injured but alive
He'll be here in a few moments
Quiet!
Turn off the lights
He won't be alone
Who?
He'll do what Brignolles would have done if we hadn't caught him
He'll trick the trickster
Darzac will play the part of Brignolles!
He'll catch him in his own trap
He may bring him right here
Anyone around?
No. They're all asleep
Are you sure?
Yes, everything's ready
Mathilde!
It's me!
Are you alright?
Let me go!
No, no, let me go!
What was that?
The parrot
Mama!