The Champagne Murders
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Claude Chabrol
Anthony Perkins
Maurice Ronet
Stéphane Audran
Yvonne Furneaux
Suzanne Lloyd
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
American-born ex-gigolo Christopher Balling is married to a wealthy Frenchwoman, Christine, who wants to sell her champagne company to a U. S. syndicate. However, the champagne's brand name is owned by Christopher's closest friend, playboy Paul Wagner, who refuses to sell. To make matters worse, Paul, emotionally unstable as a result of an incident in which he was inexplicably attacked and a female companion murdered, becomes drunk at a party and insults the American bidders. With her negotiations imperiled, Christine asks Christopher to accompany Paul on a trip to Hamburg, hoping that he can persuade Paul to sign the agreement. After a visit to a Hamburg nightclub, Christopher goes off with an attractive blonde, leaving Paul with a prostitute, Paula. Paul eventually passes out from drink, and, upon waking in the morning, he discovers that Paula has disappeared. In fact she is dead. Christine is informed of the murder by a newspaper clipping sent through the mail, and she attempts to blackmail Paul into selling the brand name. Paul, now on the verge of a breakdown, goes with Christopher to a party and is openly enticed by the hostess, sculptress Evelyn Wharton. Again Paul passes out, and, upon regaining consciousness, he finds himself alone with Evelyn's murdered body. He visits Christine and agrees to sign the necessary papers for the American deal, but later he finds Christine murdered in her bed. Exploring further, he discovers Christopher with the blonde woman he met in Germany. It is revealed that she is the murderess; in the guise of a plain-looking secretary she has worked for Christine, living in the same house, and has schemed to give Christopher control of his wife's fortune. She tries to shoot Paul, and as Christopher attempts to protect his friend, the three struggle on the floor.
Director
Claude Chabrol
Cast
Anthony Perkins
Maurice Ronet
Stéphane Audran
Yvonne Furneaux
Suzanne Lloyd
Catherine Sola
Christa Lang
Henry Jones
George Skaff
Marie-ange Agnès
Annie Vidal
Crew
Maurice Albray
William Benjamin
Paul Bonis
Jacques Brizzio
Claude Brulé
Guy Chichignoud
Pierre Cottance
Raymond Eger
Jean Fouchet
Denise Gaillard
Jacques Gaillard
Vincent Gardair
Pierre Gauchet
Paul Gégauff
Pierre Jansen
André Jouve
Rino Mondellini
Jacques Natteau
Anatole Paris
Janou Pottier
Derek Prouse
Jean Rabier
Société Pommery-greno
Fred Surin
Claude Zidi
Videos
Movie Clip
Hosted Intro
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
Opened in Paris in March 1967 as Le scandale; running time: 107 min. William Benjamin is a pseudonym for Raymond Eger. Filmed simultaneously in French and English.
Miscellaneous Notes
Released in France 1967
Released in United States April 1968
Released in United States Spring April 1968
c Technicolor
The two versions, French and English, were shot simultaneously.
Techniscope
Released in France 1967
Released in United States April 1968
Released in United States Spring April 1968
