Original subtitles

An Osso Films Production

Assistant Director � Andr� Cerf, Dimitri Dragomir

Cinematography � Georges P�rinal

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 Da�le, Henri Kerny

with L�on Beli�res 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 fianc�...

...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 Andr� 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 C�te 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!

Help!

Larsan! Did you see him?

My poor Mathilde! --- Yes, quickly!

Darling! What happened?

Nothing

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!

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

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!

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!