L'Auberge Rouge

A successfully weird little tale about a 19th century inn located in the Ardèche with a history of disappearing guests, Autant-Lara's studio snow-bound black comedy is chiefly remembered now as one of the better vehicles for moose-faced Fernandel. As a gluttonous monk privy to the special service offered by the innkeeper's wife (Rosay), he is the key to saving the latest visitors from oblivion at the risk of breaking the secrecy of the confessional. The script by Aurenche and Bost has their famed polish and irony, as well as a stream of anti-clerical jibes, and is played to the hilt by an expert cast.