This week’s mystery movie has been the 1952 picture “Jeux Interdits” (“Forbidden Games,”) based on the novel by Francois Boyer. It was adapted by Jean Aurenche, Pierre Bost and director Rene Clement, with Georges Poujouly and Brigitte Fossey. The score is by Narciso Yepes.
Boyer began the project as a screenplay, but as the work languished, he transformed it into a novel. The book was translated into English as “The Secret Games” (New York Times book review by Charles Poor here, behind paywall). The novel was also reviewed in the New York Times by Katherine Anne Porter (also behind a paywall). The movie opened in New York in December 1952 and was reviewed in the New York Times on Dec. 14, 1952, by Naomi Barry (review also behind the paywall).
The movie received an Honorary Foreign Language Film Award at the 1953 Academy Awards.
“Forbidden Games” was not shown in Los Angeles until March 1954 at the UClan in Westwood, receiving a review by Philip K. Scheuer in the Los Angeles Times. Scheuer wrote: “”Forbidden Games” is one of those rare motion pictures that seem, by a miracle of unseen presence, to be caught happening.”
The Criterion Collection DVD is out of print, but the disc is available in two Criterion box sets: “Essential Art House, Volume III”; and the 50-DVD “Essential Art House: 50 Years of Janus Films.”
For Monday, we have two mystery guests.
Update: These are Brigitte Fossey’s parents.
For Tuesday, un homme fort mystérieux.
Update: This is Lucien Hubert.
For Wednesday, un soldat.
Update: This is Amedee (Philippe de Cherisey).
Brain Trust roll call: Howard Mandelbaum (mystery movie, mystery guests), Mike Hawks (mystery movie) and L.C. (mystery movie).
Et pour Jeudi, un homme et un garçon mystérieux.
Update: This is Jacques Marin, left, and Georges Poujouly.
Brain Trust roll call: Mary Mallory (film mystérieux) and Howard Mandelbaum (soldat mystérieux).
Pour Vendredi, une jeune fille mystérieux.
Update: This is Brigitte Fossey.
Brain Trust roll call: Mary Mallory (garçon mystérieux), Howard Mandelbaum (homme mystérieux, garçon mystérieux), Gary Martin (film mystérieux), Mike Hawks (garçon mystérieux) et Jenny M. (film mystérieux, garçon mystérieux).
ladailymirror.com 
Max Von Sydow and Eva Dahlbeck in The Brink of Life.
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Interesting guess, but I’m afraid not.
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I’m guessing Kirk Douglas and Jan Sterling in “Ace in the Hole.” (Fingers crossed :-))
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Interesting guess. But alas, no.
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“Ace in the Hole”? Wild guess.
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Two votes for “Ace in the Hole.” But alas, no.
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Lucien Hubert in FORBIDDEN GAMES.
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Monsieur and Madame Fossey on Monday.
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FORBIDDEN GAMES 1952.
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Forbidden Games (Jeux Interdits) 1952 w/Brigitte Fossey and a lot of other French people.
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Jeff Corey today? And, to go even further out on a limb, “The Moon Is Down”?
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Helas, non.
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FORBIDDEN GAMES?
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Jacques Marin
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Wednesday’s soldat: Robert Newton?
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Helas, non.
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Georges Poujoully today.
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Jacques Marin & Georges Poujouly (boy)
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It was my first impression on Monday that this is Forbidden Games …but that seemed too easy so I went with the Bergman. My first impressions are almost always wrong. Huh!
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The boy is Georges Poujouly.
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Georges Poujouly in Forbidden Games.
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Brigitte Fossey.
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Brigitte Fossey
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Jean Rochefort on Tues?
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Surprise! It’s Brigitte Fossey.
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I’m always late for the party, but I know my Forbidden Games when I see them.
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