Murder-mystery GIRL MISSING (1933) ignores its murder and telegraphs its mystery, but Glenda Farrell manages to carry the day anyway. An excellent pre-Code showcase for the actress. Good support from Guy Kibbee, Helen Ware, and Ferdinand Gottschalk.
The Murder Man (1935) Starring Spencer Tracy
Reviewing Spencer Tracy’s first film on his MGM contract, The Murder Man, underrated by virtue of Tracy’s starring performance. Also starring Virginia Bruce, with Lionel Atwill and James Stewart in his feature film debut.
Secret of the Chateau (1934) Universal Murder Mystery Starring Claire Dodd
Universal murder mystery with an excellent ensemble cast revolves around a Gutenberg Bible. Bonus material about the U.S. Library of Congress 1930 purchase of a Gutenberg Bible with funds that ultimately filled the coffers of a Nazi propagandist.
The Cat and the Canary (1927) – Old Dark House Classic Starring Laura La Plante
Settling in for silent old dark house classic The Cat and the Canary (1927) starring Laura La Plante. Same story as the 1939 movie with Bob Hope, though the earlier movie is more thriller than comedy.
Arsène Lupin (1932) Starring John and Lionel Barrymore
John Barrymore and Lionel Barrymore share the screen together for the first time in MGM’s Arsène Lupin (1932). Excellent mystery also includes strong work from Karen Morley.
Lon Chaney, Jr. in Dead Man’s Eyes (1944) – An Inner Sanctum Mystery
Lon Chaney, Jr. stars in Dead Man’s Eyes, an Inner Sanctum Mystery from Universal in 1944. Posted for the Chaney Blogathon. Article also includes a separate section about mysterious co-star Acquanetta.
Murder by the Clock (1931) Starring William “Stage” Boyd and Lilyan Tashman
Tough to find and thus underappreciated, Murder by the Clock (1931) is an early mystery thriller highlighted by Lilyan Tashman, a creepy tomb alarm and a few surprising twists.
Secret of the Blue Room (1933) With Lionel Atwill and Gloria Stuart
Secret of the Blue Room (1933) may not be Universal horror, but it’s a strong murder mystery that acquired the tinge as part of the late ’50s Shock Theater package on television. Here’s a bit about what it was and what it wasn’t.
Death on the Diamond (1934) – Baseball, Murder and Robert Young
MGM’s baseball murder mystery Death on the Diamond (1934) stars Robert Young and Madge Evans. A decent mystery and a strong baseball movie at the same time. Directed by Edward Sedgwick and also featuring David Landau, Paul Kelly, Nat Pendleton and Ted Healy.
The Corpse Came C.O.D. (1947) and the Hollywood Gossip Columnists
Columbia’s The Corpse Came C.O.D. (1947) was the most interesting of my blizzard viewing, though not because of stars George Brent and Joan Blondell but the quick flashes of Hollywood Gossip Columnists which helped put faces to a few more names.
