Bluebeard's Ten Honeymoons

Bluebeard's Ten Honeymoons

Company type	Film
Industry	Motion picture
Founded	1960
Headquarters	Elstree Studios, London (filming location) , United Kingdom
Products	Thriller film

Bluebeard's Ten Honeymoons (also referred to as Bluebeard's 10 Honeymoons) is a British thriller from 1960, directed by W. Lee Wilder and featuring performances by George Sanders, Corinne Calvet, and Jean Kent. The screenplay, penned by Myles Wilder, draws loose inspiration from the true story of serial killer Henri Désiré Landru.

Plot

Henri Landru, an art dealer, becomes obsessed with Odette, a burlesque artist who deceives him by claiming her mother requires an operation, using this ruse to extract money. In an effort to gather funds, Landru searches for furniture to sell and encounters Vivienne, a young widow offering antique items. After winning her trust, a dispute results in Vivienne’s accidental death, which Landru conceals. Recognizing the opportunity for financial gain, he assumes various identities, marries affluent middle-aged women, and subsequently murders them—commonly through drugging followed by stabbing.

Upon uncovering Odette's betrayal alongside her lover, Landru kills her at his country house. Suspicious of Vivienne’s disappearance, her sister investigates and eventually locates Landru. Authorities arrest him at his residence, and the narrative concludes with his execution.

Cast

• George Sanders as Henri Landru
• Corinne Calvet as Odette
• Jean Kent as Julienne Guillin
• Patricia Roc as Vivienne Dueaux
• Greta Gynt as Jeanette
• Maxine Audley as Cynthia
• Ingrid Hafner as Giselle
• Peter Illing as Lefevre
• George Coulouris as Lacoste
• Sheldon Lawrence as Pepi
• Paul Whitsun-Jones as station master
• Keith Pyott as estate agent
• Jack Melford as concierge
• Robert Rietty as bank clerk
• Mark Singleton as advertising clerk
• Ian Fleming as lawyer

Production

The movie was shot at Elstree Studios, located near London, with additional scenes filmed on location in Paris. The production’s visual design was overseen by art director Paul Sheriff.

Reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin criticized the film for its uneven tone and storytelling inconsistencies. While George Sanders delivered a subdued performance, Corinne Calvet’s acting was considered excessive. Paul Sheriff’s art direction was described as uninspired, contributing to an overall impression of weak production quality.

According to Variety, the film presented a dull and stereotypical account of Henri Landru’s crimes, hampered by uninspired performances and direction. Despite the involvement of stars such as Sanders and Calvet, it was predicted to have limited box office appeal.

Film historian Leslie Halliwell characterized the work as an unsuccessful blend of fantasy, farce, and melodrama in depicting Landru’s narrative.