Bluebeard (1944)

Starring John Carradine, Jean Parker, Nils Asther, Ludwig Stossel, George Pembroke
Directed by Edgar G. Ulmer
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)

In 19th century France, a dressmaker is charmed by the intelligent puppeteer who stages operatic dramas with his marionettes, but never suspects he is a serial killer targeting young women.

Another low budget production from Poverty Row studio PRC, the picture is boosted by talented director Edgar G. Ulmer, and John Carradine in a role perfectly suited to his rich voice and screen presence.  It's hard to imagine PRC pulling off a period costume drama, but Ulmer and his crew make it look authentic, although there's nary a French accent spoken among the cast.  In my opinion, this is probably Carradine's best performance for a low budget film, and although his tall and wiry frame was used by other filmmakers for effective boogeymen, he's handsome and debonair enough here to make one wonder why he's wasn't more utilized as a leading man.  Parker is charming as well, as perhaps the only local woman not fearful of the bluebeard on the loose, and Stossel is also welcome as a shady art dealer blackmailing Carradine's character.