The Man with a Cloak
| The Man with a Cloak | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Directed by | Fletcher Markle |
| Produced by | Stephen Ames |
| Written by |
Frank Fenton John Dickson Carr (story) |
| Starring |
Joseph Cotten Barbara Stanwyck Louis Calhern Leslie Caron |
| Music by | David Raksin |
| Cinematography | George J. Folsey |
| Edited by | Newell P. Kimlin |
| Distributed by | MGM |
|
Release date
|
November 27, 1951 |
|
Running time
|
81-84 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $882,000 |
| Box office | $763,000 |
The Man with a Cloak is a 1951 drama film directed by Fletcher Markle and starring Joseph Cotten, Barbara Stanwyck, Louis Calhern, and Leslie Caron, and based on "The Gentleman from Paris", a short story by John Dickson Carr.
In New York in 1848, a young Frenchwoman, Madeline Minot (Leslie Caron), arrives, looking for expatriate Charles Thevenet (Louis Calhern). She is initially turned away at the door by his mistress and housekeeper, Lorna Bounty (Barbara Stanwyck), but persists and presents Thevenet with a letter of introduction from his only grandson, Paul, a romantic revolutionary with whom Madeline is in love.
Thevenet, a wealthy, old, dissipated rake, correctly guesses Madeline's purpose in visiting him; she has been sent by Paul to ask him for money to support the revolution in France. Lorna, assisted by hulking butler Martin (Joe De Santis) and cook Mrs. Flynn (Margaret Wycherly) are also after Thevenet's fortune, having waited for the old man to die for ten years. To that end, the trio let Thevenet drink as much as he wants, contrary to the instructions of Dr. Roland (Nicholas Joy), and replace some prescribed medicine.
Madeline has one ally, Dupin (Joseph Cotten), an impecunious, heavy-drinking poet (to whom the film's title refers). A chance acquaintance, she turns to him when she suspects the medicine has been poisoned. They take it to a pharmacist, who finds it to be sugar water. Dupin becomes acquainted with Lorna and recognizes her as a former actress who achieved fame with Thevenet's backing.
During her stay in Thevenet's townhouse, Madeline softens the old reprobate's heart. He summons his lawyer, Durand (Richard Hale), and changes his will. Then he secretly puts arsenic in his drink, ready to end his life. However, he suffers a stroke that paralyzes him, leaving him only partial control of his face. He watches helplessly as Durand drinks the fatal brandy. The will is then snatched up by Thevenet's pet raven and hidden in the fireplace. Before the old man dies, he tries to pass along to Dupin the location of the will solely with his eyes.
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