With approximately 170 film and television adaptations to his credit Georges Simenon is arguably the most filmed writer of the twentieth century but though the Maigret association is indelible Simenon actually wrote his fair share of non-Maigret novels most of them either straightforward or else psychological thrillers. This ridiculously neglected effort made during the Occupation comes under the non-Maigret heading and apart from being a terrific movie there are dozens of reasons for seeking it out, not least an uncredited Simone Signoret, who was putting in her share of 'extra' work that year as she also turned up in Les Visiteurs du soir in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance. This is far and away the best film of director Louis Daquin - apart from this his best work was as Assistant Director on L'Entraineuse and Remorques - though in the opening scenes it is clear he has been frightened by Quai des Brumes as he limns the arrival of Jean Desailly who is returning to his fog-shrouded home town newly affluent via an inheritance. There he renews contact with the 'syndicate' the 'self-proclaimed' leading family who despised Desailly's parents because they were Music Hall performers. Jules Berry is in his element as one of the most venal but Serge Reggiani, Gabrielle Fontan and Louis Seigner are also on hand and in fact virtually the entire large cast distinguishes itself in this one. One to seek out and keep.
Review of Le voyageur de la Toussaint
