The Man on the Eiffel Tower
The Man on the Eiffel Tower | |
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RKO Radio Pictures | |
Release dates | |
Running time | 97 minutes 87 minutes (American DVD version) |
Countries | United States France |
Languages | English French |
The Man on the Eiffel Tower is a 1950 American
The film is also known as L'homme de la tour Eiffel in France.
Plot
In the streets of Paris a myopic knife grinder Heurtin is berated by his partner both for his lack of money and initiative. Nearby, Kirby, an idle, cash-strapped playboy, enters a restaurant to meet his wife. He is warned by the waiter that both wife and his mistress are waiting for him at the bar. The nature of her husband's relationship becomes obvious to the wife, who taunts the mistress Edna that Kirby will have no money until his aunt dies, then leaves. Kirby reads a note that has been left at his feet, revealing that his predicament has been overheard, and he can be helped for a million francs. He grasps it is an invitation to murder, signed "MV". As Edna leaves, Kirby says he has a decision to make and if he throws two aces with poker dice he'll say yes. All five come up aces.
In the darkness of the aunt's house Heurtin finds a woman dead. In a panic, he falls over, losing his makeshift eyeglasses. The figure of a man appears, his feet and hands wrapped to avoid leaving prints. He intentionally steps on the glasses, and Heurtin leaves the house in literal blind terror. Outside a mysterious accomplice reassures him and promises to protect him if he lays low.
The newspapers say that both the aunt and her maid were murdered.
Legwork reveals that the diner, Johannes Radek, is a brilliant and educated young man suffering from
Finally, a clever ruse by Maigret sends a cornered Radek fleeing to the Eiffel Tower, which he begins to climb. Heurtin angrily follows him up. Radek prepares to dive spectacularly from near the top, but becomes crestfallen when Maigret feigns disinterest and starts descending in his elevator cart. Plunged into depression he must be assisted down.
Maigret meets Radek one last time at the guillotine, but declines to watch. In the street outside Maigret strolls amid young Parisian couples displaying their amour. He spots Heurtin with his partner, happily wearing proper spectacles. Cheered, Maigret returns to police headquarters.
Cast
- Charles Laughton as Inspector Jules Maigret
- Franchot Tone as Johann Radek
- Burgess Meredith as Joseph Heurtin
- Robert Hutton as Bill Kirby
- Jean Wallace as Edna Wallace
- Patricia Roc as Helen Kirby
- Belita as Gisella Heurtin
- George Thorpe as Comelieu
- William Phippsas Janvier
- William Cottrell as Moers
- Chaz Chase as Waiter
- Wilfrid Hyde-White as Professor Grollet
Reception
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References
- ISBN 9781476642635.
- ^ a b c "The Man on the Eiffel Tower: Detail View". American Film Institute. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ "The Screen in Review; 'The Man on the Eiffel Tower,' From Novel by Simenon, Opens at the Criterion". The New York Times. 30 January 1950. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
External links
- The Man on the Eiffel Tower at IMDb
- The Man on the Eiffel Tower is available for free viewing and download at the Internet Archive
- The Man on the Eiffel Tower at AllMovie
- The Man on the Eiffel Tower at the TCM Movie Database
- The Man on the Eiffel Tower at the American Film Institute Catalog