Released in 1958, director Louis Malle's Ascenseur pour L'échafaud (Elevator to the Gallows) was the bleeding edge of the French New Wave film movement. If you want to hang out with the cool cats, you've got to make this scene.

Starring Jeanne Moreau, this French language crime drama sports one of the coolest jazz scores ever. The story goes that Miles Davis composed the score while watching a cut of the film, late at night in a Paris studio, while having cocktails with Moreau and Malle. One viewing to compose and one viewing to lay down the tracks with his band. Très cool. Le plus cool.


Required viewing for the dedicated film buff

Airing on TCM at midnight, this Wednesday.

Set to record.

Thanks, Para.

Thanks, Para. You have fascinating deep knowledge of sometimes obscure but highly poignant films. Merci!!

Liked it very much.

Especially the way the twist “developed” at the end.

FYI, if you missed this showing, the movie is available to be streamed at your convenience on the MAX streaming app.