In what was France’s first realistic treatment of the subject, even requiring a warning about drug use before the opening credits, Henri Decoin’s Razzia sur la chnouf (US: Razzia) dramatizes the breadth of connections involved in the supply chain of illegal drugs — from the raw material suppliers to the processors to the distributors to the dealers. Overseeing it all is Henri “le Nantais” Ferré (Jean Gabin), a hotshot gangster recruited by drug kingpin Marcel Dalio (Paul Liski) to run the enterprise with greater efficiency, which includes eliminating any weak links or bad actors by deploying hit men Roger “le Catalan” (Lino Ventura) and Bibi (Albert Rémy). For cover, Henri is made manager of Le Troquet, a restaurant where underworld characters congregate and where he begins a romance with cashier Lisette (Magali Noël). As the police become more vigilant, including a raid on Le Troquet, Henri continues searching for leaks in the network by trolling through the Parisian underground and meeting colorful characters like Léa (the fantastic Lila Kedrova), a heroin addict who serves as Henri’s tour guide when she’s not desperate for a fix (“Take your drugs and die!”). Decoin creates a dynamic, fast-paced film in part by frequenting so many venues as part of Henri’s expedition: an opulent Chinese opium den in want of more customers, an Arab drug hangout where Léa partakes in an orgy onstage (the rhythmic banging of percussion music eclipses reason here), a secret gambling room, and even a gay bar. Fog and mist merge with shadows in most exterior shots, and Montazel uses his camera to catch light in unique ways (the spiral staircase to Henri’s quarters, the enormous shadow of rotating fan blades in the drug lab, etc.). An unexpected plot twist toward the end will have you interpreting key scenes in new ways.