Laughter in the Dark 1969

Sir Edward More is a wealthy, married art dealer in his forties who becomes obsessed with Margot, an amoral cinema usherette, and begins a dangerous affair. When his wife discovers the liaison, she leaves him.

At a party hosted for him, Herve Tourace re-enters the picture as Margot’s former lover, and they together decide to exploit More’s wealth. Margot tells More that his assistant Brian has been making advances toward her, and that she prefers him, suggesting replacing Brian with Tourace, who she presents as gay so he won’t be a threat. More reluctantly agrees and hires Tourace.

Margot proposes a holiday abroad. At a seaside resort, More bumps into Brian, who is also vacationing there. Margot and Tourace make love in a small boat, observed by Brian’s wife, who tells More. Enraged by the betrayal, More decides to leave immediately.

While driving at speed along a dangerous mountain road, More swerves to avoid oncoming cyclists and crashes, leaving him blinded.

Margot finds them a villa to hide out in, and they move in. Unknown to More, Tourace has also relocated there, and Margot and Tourace resume their affair. More grows suspicious that there is someone else in the house and he attacks the intruder. At the same time, his ex-wife’s brother arrives, claiming to have just seen Tourace fleeing the villa. More realizes the deception.

When Margot returns from a day trip, More tries to shoot her. He misses, then stumbles and fatally shoots himself. Margot runs from the villa.