Dr. Popaul
| Dr. Popaul | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical Release Poster | |
| Directed by | Claude Chabrol |
| Written by | Paul Gégauff |
| Produced by | Andre Genoves Georges Casati Jean Paul Belmondo (uncredited) |
| Starring | Jean-Paul Belmondo Mia Farrow Laura Antonelli |
| Cinematography | Jean Rabier |
Production companies | Certio Films Les Films de la Boétie Rizzoli Film |
| Distributed by | Independent Artists (US) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 115 minutes |
| Countries | France Italy |
| Language | French |
| Box office | 2,062,042 admissions (France)[1] |
Dr. Popaul is a 1972 French black comedy film directed by Claude Chabrol. also known under the titles High Heels and Scoundrel in White.
The film was based on the 1969 novel Meurtre à loisir by Hubert Monteilhet, translated into English as Murder at Leisure.
Plot
Paul (Belmondo), a former womanizer, marries the head of the medical department's "unattractive" daughter Christine (Farrow) because he thinks attractive women can't be trusted and make poor wives.
A car accident leaves him bedridden and he begins to miss his playboy days, when Christine's bombshell sister Martine (Antonelli) arrives and Paul decides he must have her. He begins drugging Christine at night so he can sneak out to kill off Martine's many suitors one by one.
Cast
- Jean-Paul Belmondo as Dr. Paul Simay
- Mia Farrow as Christine Dupont
- Laura Antonelli as Martine Dupont
- Marlène Appelt as Carole
- Dominique Zardi as the Bishop
- Daniel Lecourtois as Professeur Dupont
- Patrick Préjean as Arthur Rignard
- Michel Peyrelon as Joseph
- Henri Attal as Old Woman
Production
The film was the first movie from Belmondo's own production company, Cerito Films.
Reception
At the time of its release, it was the biggest hit of Chabrol's career. However it was not released in Britain until 1976, where it was titled Scoundrel in White.[2] It was not released in the US until 1981, where it had the title High Heels.[3]
"It stinks" said the Los Angeles Times.[4]
References
- ^ Box office information for film at Box Office Story
- ^ Mainly on the Plain Janes The Guardian (1959-2003) [London (UK)] 02 Jan 1976: 10.
- ^ Film: Chabrol's 'High Heels' And Schatzberg's 'Dandy': Twists of Fate Canby, Vincent. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 26 June 1981: C8.
- ^ WORST FOOT FORWARD IN 'HIGH HEELS' Thomas, Kevin. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 11 Dec 1981: j24.
External links
- Dr. Popaul at IMDb
- Dr Popaul at Le Film Guide
- Contemporary TV report on the making of the film (in French]
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