Shot in the Dark

A SHOT IN THE DARK is a riotous spoof of the classic 'old dark house' murder mysteries. It features exaggerated situations, larger-than-life characters, and amusing dialogue as it sends up the genre while providing fitful mystery antics for viewers of the era. I could almost imagine Columbo himself sitting back and getting a laugh out of this one!

The plot involves a miserly old man who is shot to death in his own bed one night during a storm. One of his assembled associates and family members did it, but which? A record gives away the identity of the murderer, but it is stolen before the name can be listened to. It takes an old reverend who's a friend of the family to get to the bottom of the mystery.

I thought A SHOT OF THE DARK provided a workable enough comedy given the low budget nature of the film. I like the unusual protagonist, the kindly reverend who knows more than he lets on. The supporting cast is full of clichéd characters: the young, star-crossed lovers (incuding a youthful Jack Hawkins), the comedian, the curmudgeonly elder, the waspish aunt. The way each of their stories is processed in turn is well staged and there's a hilarious action scene right at the climax if you've stayed with it that long.

A 23 year old Jack Hawkins is the only name that Americans will recognize from Shot In The Dark. This is not by the way a prequel to the Pink Panther classic.

It is one of those old English murder mysteries with a little spoofing on the side. An elderly old miser who was no doubt a miserable creature his whole life does a will on phonograph where he says he will be murdered by one of his greedy grasping relatives. Guess what, he is done in, but by whom?

Lots of suspects including Hawkins boyfriend of the deceased's niece. A sleuthing vicar happens by and solves all.

We called these B pictures, over across the pond they were quota quickies. It's got everything an English murder mystery requires including secret passages.

They've done worse. Average for its type of film.

Providing viewers realise this is intended largely as a spoof send-up, this becomes an entertaining and humorous whodunnit with an enjoyable murder plot.

A rich, elderly, paranoid, bed-ridden old man is murdered and leaves his will on a gramophone record. All his relatives have motives and part of the fun is that so many 'confess' thinking they actually killed him.

Most of the cast won't be too familiar to modern viewers though an incredibly young Jack Hawkins is present as the handsome boyfriend. Most characters ham it up for all they're worth, especially Michael Shepley as the foppish nephew, Vivien.

The sleuthing reverend Makeham (O B Clarence) is a delightfully inquisitive vicar and Dorothy Boyd brings real glamour as the victim's put-upon niece.

The early sound quality was a bit disappointing but improved considerably. There are some plot holes (why could police not find first bullet? Why was it not realised victim was shot from some feet away? Why was priest hole - really more like a cellar - so well lit?).

Buy overall this is a genuine murder mystery and an entertaining spoof on the creepy House murder with a cast of likeable family suspects.

It's not immediately obvious but, rather like its Twickenham stable-mate, "The Case of the Frightened Lady", the film mixes a subtle droll comedy with its main suspense-murder story such that some reviewers are unaware. The comedy is almost like an "in joke". The film is a tongue-in-cheek murder-mystery being played for humorous effect.

I began to notice this when the priest is interrogating one of the (murder) suspects, an older aunt, and momentarily plays with a key-chain. "Oh Don't do that!" she says with an exaggerated petulant hand gesture "It gets on my nerves!".

Everybody but the priest, who remains calm and reasoned throughout, is over-playing. The convoluted plot gives multiple opportunities for shock revelations and curious happenings to which the cast members can react extravagantly. It's Agatha Christie with a sense of humour. Something of the tone of "Arsenic and Old Lace" but not as black.

Some other lines confirm the tone: "How about auntie Kate as Widow Twanky?" "Elementary my dear Watson!" spoken by the silly-ass character with the glasses. The priest takes his shoes off to walk quietly. A violent struggle between two men breaks out right in front of him. Now what would his primary concern be? It really made me LOL.

Seen and enjoyed on Talking Pictures, Freeview and Freesat

A bed ridden, wealthy elderly man lives in fear of being murdered, when is death finally arrives, he leaves a message, in the form of a record.

It's a good, enjoyable, movie, with a pleasing enough mystery. Vibes of And then there were none, vibes of The Cat and The Canary, though this isn't in the same league as either.

The success comes from the humour, there are some big characters here, all of whom have a motive, and seem to be hiding something. Plenty of humour throughout, but it's not overdone, it gives it a stage play vibe.

The acting varies, some is very good, some is a little patchy let's say. Being made in 1933 however, I can forgive it anything, it's better acted than many similar films I've seen that were made years later.

It's the stereotypical mystery, a rich relative killed, the suspects are all assembled, a member of the clergy investigates.

Good fun, 6/10.