Maigret tend un piège (1958)

Plot:  Based on the Georges Simenon novel - Inspector Maigret pursues a killer who's stalking women in alleyways of Paris.
Stars: Jean Gabin, Annie Girardot, Oliver Hussenot, Lucienne Bogarert.

Part film noir, part police-procedural, this was nominated for three BAFTA awards, and its easy to see why. Everyone, especially Gabin and the Inspector, is perfectly cast, Gabin gives life to the exhausted ready-to-retire inspector, while Bogaret is dynamic as the protective mother , Annie Girardot is believable and subtle as the loving wife. Another plus, we get some great Old Paris atmosphere. And I loved the old-fashioned Gabin kitchen! The mystery itself is well-done and we get plenty of action along with the cat-and-mouse questionings.

Cons: At the end, Jean Desailly overacts. Second, the closing police station scenes go on too long. Did we really need to see Maurice being stalled and his burglary complaint typed-up two or three times? Side Note: The movie was reissued in the USA under the ludicrous title "Woman-Bait"

Conclusion: A very enjoyable French Detective movie. I'm looking forward to the two sequels and reading some Georges Simenon novels. Rating ***