''The Melody of Murder'', (Original Title: ''Mordets Melodi''), is a 1944 Danish

film noir Film noir (; ) is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize cynical attitudes and motivations. The 1940s and 1950s are generally regarded as the "classic period" of American '' ...

directed by

Bodil Ipsen Bodil Ipsen (; 30 August 1889 – 26 November 1964) was a Danish actress and film director, and is considered one of the great stars of Danish cinematic history. Her acting career, which began in theater and silent films, was marked by leading ...

and starring Gull-Maj Norin and

Poul Reichhardt Poul David Reichhardt (2 February 1913 – 31 October 1985) was a Danish actor, well known for his roles in Danish 1940s/1950s comedies. Later on, he also played more serious and varied roles; he has also starred in '' Huset på Christians ...

Plot

The dark tale revolves around a sexually ambiguous serial killer, whose crimes are committed to a French cabaret song. The police suspect a

chanteuse Many words in the English vocabulary are of French origin, most coming from the Anglo-Norman spoken by the upper classes in England for several hundred years after the Norman Conquest, before the language settled into what became Modern Engli ...

who sings the same tune during her performances.

Cast

* Gull-Maj Norin ... Cabaret Singer Odette Margot / Sonja *

... Emcee Max Stenberg *

Angelo Bruun Angelo is an Italian masculine given name and surname meaning "angel", or "messenger". People People with the given name *Angelo Accattino (born 1966), Italian prelate of the Catholic Church *Angelo Acciaioli (bishop) (1298–1357), Italian Rom ...

... Hypnotist Louis Valdini * Peter Nielsen ... Detective Baunsø *

Else Petersen Else Petersen (26 April 1910 – 28 August 2002) was a Danish film and stage actress. She appeared in 44 films between 1936 and 1993. Partial filmography * '' Maria the Maid'' (1936) - Alice's friend * ''Flådens blå matroser'' (1937) - ...

... Mrs. Baunsø *

Karen Poulsen Karen Poulsen (10 May 1881 – 15 February 1953) was a Danish stage and film actress An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or ...

... Wardrobe Lady Flora Kristiansen *

Ib Schønberg Ib Christian Albert von Cotta Schønberg (23 October 1902 – 24 September 1955) was a Danish film actor, and is considered one of the leading actors of Danish film in the 20th century. Early life The son of a chemist, Ib Schønberg was int ...

... Theater Director Perm *

Petrine Sonne Petrine Sonne (25 November 1870 – 26 May 1946) was a Danish stage and film actress. Born Johanne Petrine Møller in Copenhagen, she was the sister of actor and cartoonist Valdemar Møller. Filmography *'' Du skal ære din hustru'' - 1925 * ...

... Landlady Sonja Bohman *

Charles Wilken Charles Wilken (8 November 1866 – 26 February 1956) was a Danish film actor. He appeared in 32 films between 1916 and 1954. Selected filmography * '' David Copperfield'' (1922) * '' Millionærdrengen'' (1936) * ''En mand af betydning'' ( ...

... Pensionist *

Anna Henriques-Nielsen Anna Henriques-Nielsen (8 December 1881 – 24 December 1962) was a Danish stage and film actress. She appeared in 29 films between 1941 and 1958. She was born in Copenhagen, Denmark and died in Denmark. Filmography *'' I folkets navn'' ...

... Salesgirl Sonja Neie *

Lili Heglund Lili Heglund (5 September 1904 – 3 October 1992) was a Danish film actress. She appeared in 24 films between 1938 and 1973. She was born in Copenhagen, Denmark and died in Denmark. Selected filmography *'' Balletten danser'' - 1938 *' ...

... Baker Lise Rasmussen *

Valsø Holm Valsø Holm (31 December 1906 – 19 December 1987) was a Danish film actor. He appeared in 80 films between 1937 and 1982. He was born in Copenhagen, Denmark and died in Denmark. Filmography *'' En søndag på Amager'' - 1941 *'' To som ...

... *

Per Buckhøj Per Buckhøj (10 February 1902 – 21 October 1964) was a Danish film actor. He appeared in 36 films between 1942 and 1958. Partial filmography * ''Flådens blå matroser'' (1937) – Mand, der trues * ' (1942) – Landsretssagfører Berggre ...

... * Helga Frier ... Cleaning Lady Nielsen *

Lis Løwert Lis Løwert (7 December 1919 – 26 November 2009) was a Danish film actress. She appeared in 23 films between 1938 and 1971. She was best known for her parts in two TV series: Mrs. Clausen in '' Huset på Christianshavn'' and Violet Vinter ...

... Maid Poula

Reception

Produced during the

German occupation of Denmark At the outset of World War II in September 1939, Denmark declared itself neutral. For most of the war, the country was a protectorate and then an occupied territory of Germany. The decision to occupy Denmark was taken in Berlin on 17 December ...

in World War II, the film was praised by critics for its "stylish cinematography, thematic intensity, and dark vision of Copenhagen;" ''The Melody of Murder'' (1944)
Nordisk Films of all Ages Visit from Denmark, Stay at Scandinavia House, Times Square Crossroads, 2007, retrieved 2008-06-13 and consider it one of the most influential Danish films of that period.

References

External links

IMDbDet Danske Fiminstitut
1944 films 1944 crime films 1940s serial killer films Danish crime films 1940s Danish-language films Films directed by Bodil Ipsen Danish black-and-white films Film noir {{1940s-crime-film-stub