Testemunha Fatal

Plot- A wealthy woman is murdered after she accuses her nephew of stealing a valuable emerald brooch.

I'm not sure I saw the same movie as my colleagues. In my little book, only Evelyn Ankers supplies some spark for what is otherwise a listless hour. Despite several plot wrinkles, neither acting, nor mood is able to heighten these. Generally, the movie manages neither suspense nor atmosphere. Instead events unfold in pedestrian fashion, not helped by actor Fraser's utterly wooden police inspector. Then too, the careless script telegraphs sinister Leigh's guilt early on, despite his apparent alibi. Nor does inattention to vital detail help, as in the case of Scoggin's throttling before being thrown into the river. Even I know accidental drowning would never pass medical muster—death keeps water out of the lungs while finger marks would appear on the throat. I hate to be niggling but such inattention to important detail is plain sloppy on the screenwriter's part. Naturally not much is expected from Republic's drama department, especially when the mechanical Selander is directing and the studio's is branching out from its usual matinée oaters. Unfortunately, this flat-liner doesn't supply much encouragement.