Dead Man's Shoes (1940 film)

This article is about 1940 film. For the 2004 film, see Dead Man's Shoes (2004 film). For other uses, see Dead Man's Shoes.

Dead Man's Shoes
American release poster
Directed by	Thomas Bentley
Written by	Nina Jarvis John H. Kafka
Produced by	Walter C. Mycroft
Starring	Leslie Banks Joan Marion Wilfrid Lawson Judy Kelly
Cinematography	Günther Krampf
Edited by	Monica Kimick
Production company	ABPC
Distributed by	ABFD (UK) Monogram Pictures (US)
Release date	5 May 1940 (1940-05-05)
Running time	70 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Budget	£29,094 [1]

Dead Man's Shoes is a 1940 British mystery drama film directed by Thomas Bentley and starring Leslie Banks, Joan Marion and Wilfrid Lawson. ^[2] It was written by Nina Jarvis and John H. Kafka. The film is considered an antecedent of British Film Noir. ^[3]

Plot

Criminal Jean Pelletier has lost his memory and risen to a position of authority and respect. One day he is confronted by a man who claims to have been involved with him in the past.

Cast

• Leslie Banks as Roger de Vetheuil
• Joan Marion as Viola de Vetheuil
• Geoffrey Atkins as Paul de Vetheuil
• Wilfrid Lawson as Lucien Sarrou
• Judy Kelly as Michelle Allain
• Nancy Price as Madame Pelletier
• Walter Hudd as Gaston Alexandri
• Peter Bull as Defence Counsel
• Henry Oscar as President of the Court
• Ludwig Stössel as Doctor Breithaut
• Roddy McDowall as boy

Production

Inspired by the 1938 French film Carrefour (aka Crossroads) ^[4] , it was made by Associated British Picture Corporation at the company's Elstree Studios.

Release

The film was completed in late 1939, but was not released until the following year.^{[ citation needed ]}

Reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "English remake of Carrefour . ... The story, sequences and settings of the original are closely adhered to, and this is to be regretted as it cramps the style of a competent cast and renders less interesting an unusual and gripping story." ^[4]

The Daily Film Renter wrote: "Novel presentation of mistaken identity theme, in which central character is uncertain of his own status. Logically developed plot moves against Parisian backgrounds and takes in interesting libel lawsuit, blackmail efforts, and good emotional angles. Smoothly directed, and with definite suspense angles, the subject has been cleverly produced in workmanlike fashion, with sound work by strong cast." ^[5]

Variety wrote: "Chief merit of this dramatic, interesting story is that it goes straight into tense situations without usual preliminary staging of background and character. ... Though highly improbable, the picture has undeniable attraction, in that there are unexpected twists, and things don't pan out the way the audience anticipates." ^[6]

References

1. Chapman, Llewella. "'The highest salary ever paid to a human being': Creating a Database of Film Costs from the Bank of England". Journal of British cinema and television, 2022-10. Vol. 19, no. 4. Edinburgh University Press. p. 470-494 at 480.
2. "Dead Man's Shoes". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
3. Spicer, Andrew (2010). Historical Dictionary of Film Noir. Scarecrow Press. p. 439. ISBN   978-0810859609.
4. "Dead Man's Shoes". The Monthly Film Bulletin . 6 (61): 135. 1 January 1939. ProQuest   1305801895.
5. "Dead Man's Shoes". The Daily Film Renter. 6 (3818): 4. 15 July 1939. ProQuest   2826308597.
6. "Dead Man's Shoes". Variety . 135 (7): 15. 26 July 1939. ProQuest   1475960699.

External links

• Dead Man's Shoes at IMDb