Mordets melodi

Melody of Murder is a story about the serial murders of women who die identically to the sound of the same melody, sang by – among others – the cabaret singer Odette, the film’s main hero and also chief suspect, during her performance. She was played by actress Gull-Maj Norin in what was her most famous role, under the directorial leadership of famous Danish filmmaker Bodil Ipsen. She began her artistic career as a theatre and later a film actress, but she achieved the greatest influence in the position of director. Between the years 1942 and 1951 she directed ten films, some in collaboration with Lau Lauritzen Jr. Their first joint directorial feat Afsporet (1942) is referred to as the first Danish noir. Paradoxically, as an actress, Bodil Ipsen presented mainly herself in romantic comedies, but as a director she focused on psychological thrillers and dark dramas with noir qualities. Melody of Murder, regarded as classic of Danish cinematography, is one of these works. (Noir Film Festival)