Unusual Tales

Unusual Tales (Histoires extraordinaires) is a 1949 French horror-mystery film directed by Jean Faurez. Running roughly 88 minutes in black and white, it draws its story from the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Thomas de Quincey, weaving strange, fantastic episodes. The picture was also known under the alternate title suggesting tales meant to frighten or amuse.

The ensemble includes well-known French performers of the period such as Fernand Ledoux, Jules Berry, Paul Frankeur, Guy Decomble, Jacques Dufilho and Laure Paillette. Steeped in Poe's atmosphere, the film stands as an example of French fantastic cinema straddling the line between suspense and mystery.