Crime Does Not Pay

Crime Does Not Pay (Le Crime ne paie pas) is a 1962 French-Italian anthology film directed by Gérard Oury, who also contributed to its screenplay. The picture draws on Paul Gordeaux's comic strips, which originally ran in the newspaper France-Soir. Its four self-contained episodes, each with a distinct cast and writing team, are bound together by recurring themes of seductive women, jealousy, revenge and death. The ensemble features many of the era's most celebrated performers, including Danielle Darrieux, Michèle Morgan, Edwige Feuillère, Annie Girardot, Gino Cervi and Gabriele Ferzetti. Louis de Funès makes a brief appearance as a barman who speaks impenetrable English. The third episode was written by Pierre Boileau and Thomas Narcejac, the duo whose novels inspired Les Diaboliques and Hitchcock's Vertigo. Following this sombre, star-driven drama, Oury went on to direct the hugely popular comedies that remain milestones of French cinema.