The Red Signal (film)

The Red Signal (French: Le signal rouge) is a 1949 French drama film directed by Ernst Neubach and starring Erich von Stroheim, Denise Vernac and Frank Villard.^[1] It is based on a novel of the same title by Adolf Schütz and Paul Baudisch.^[2] It was shot at the Victorine Studios in Nice. The film's sets were designed by the art director Louis Le Barbenchon.

The Red Signal
Directed by	Ernst Neubach
Written by	André Cerf Ernst Neubach Herbert Victor
Based on	The Red Signal by Adolf Schütz and Paul Baudisch
Produced by	Ernst Neubach
Starring	Erich von Stroheim Denise Vernac Frank Villard
Cinematography	Raymond Clunie
Edited by	Louis Devaivre Marcelle Lioret
Music by	Curt Lewinnek
Production company	Pen Films
Distributed by	Les Films Georges Muller
Release date	4 February 1949 (1949-02-04)
Running time	98 minutes
Country	France
Language	French

Synopsis

In a small Austrian town, physician Mathias Berthold is haunted by the memory of his wife who died in a train accident. Under psychological strain he hears his wife's voice commanding him to "stop the train". In a trance-like state he attempts to sabotage the railway tracks, and is shot and wounded by the police. Realising his torment, he goes for treatment in a specialist clinic in Vienna. Doctor Irène Dreiser, who is sympathetic to Berthold, takes over his patients during his absence.

Cast

• Erich von Stroheim, as Le docteur Mathias Berthold
• Denise Vernac, as Dr. Irène Dreiser^[3]
• Frank Villard, as Ing. Nicolas Riedel
• Yves Deniaud, as Le clochard Emil
• Pierre Sergeol, as Le commissaire
• Claude Chenard, as Poldi Paladi, chanteuse
• Roland Clair, as Peter
• Marcel Maupi, as Le contremaître
• Jules Dorpe, as Le chef de gare
• Jean Gabert, as Le gendarme
• Claire Gérard, as Marie
• Jean-François Martial, as Le contrôleur