Avaliações de csteidler

Charlie Chan visits the circus with the whole family, including Mrs. Chan and twelve offspring ranging from a babe in arms to fully grown son Lee Chan, who is his pop's eager assistant. A fun opening sequence shows the Chan family arriving and taking in the circus posters and barkers before filing into the big tent.

Not surprisingly, a mystery pops up: the circus co-owner is discovered murdered inside the locked circus wagon. Charlie and number one son are quickly on the case. Suspects include the trapeze artist, the wardrobe lady, the victim's business partner, and moody snake charmer J. Carrol Naish.

Warner Oland and Keye Luke are delightful as the father and son detective team. The interplay between them is so good that even the simplest dialog exchanges can be hilarious. ("I'm going with you, Pop." "Contradiction, please. You stay here. Help unpack.")

Also featured in the cast are Wade Boteler as the local cop who is not too smart; George and Olive Brasno as a song and dance team who befriend the Chans and convince them to stay on the case; and Toshia Mori as the circus contortionist who spends most of the picture rejecting Luke's romantic gestures.

Excellent blend of mystery and humor, with an appropriately exciting climax involving the circus gorilla.

Best buddies Douglas Fairbanks Jr. And Guy Kibbee are down and out. Just out of jail, they arrive at the train station hoping to scrounge a meal and possibly catch a free ride to someplace warm for the winter. Fairbanks snatches a stray suitcase in the washroom and extracts a bundle of money and some decent clothes (belonging to drunken Frank McHugh) and they may be in business. First, though....

He strikes up a conversation with dancer Joan Blondell, who really needs $64.50 for a train ticket. Her troupe has a job for her but only if she can get to Salt Lake City on time. Fairbanks figures it's a good deed to share his stolen loot, plus it's kind of fun pretending he's a generous rich guy.

Meanwhile, a black-hatted Alan Hale checks his violin case at the hat check counter, looking very nervous. Distracted, he gets his pocket picked. The hat check ticket falls on the ground, Kibbee finds it, Fairbanks redeems the violin case and takes it to the pawn shop - and discovers just in time that it contains not a fiddle but bundles of cash.

This plot gets kind of wild but is very neatly put together. Good atmosphere and photography add to the fun of this unpredictable comedy-adventure. Kibbee is a natural in his small role as the loyal but somewhat dim sidekick. David Landau is appropriately businesslike as the plainclothes cop scouring the station for counterfeiters.

Blondell is excellent - not too sweet or harsh, mostly understated but full of emotion that you can just about see. Fairbanks too is very good, presenting a bit of swagger but perfectly willing to admit it's mostly bluster.

Suspenseful and exciting, with a few laughs. Very good.

Fresh out of prison, debt to society paid, James Cagney decides to go straight: He always wanted to work for a newspaper so he tells his gangster friends he is out and goes looking for a job.

He gets his chance from Ralph Bellamy, editor of one of those rags that dig up dirt and print the photos that no classy paper would touch. He hands Cagney a camera and a challenging assignment. Cagney gets the photo and the job.

Bellamy drinks too much and fights constantly with publisher Robert Barrat. The shouted rapid-fire exchanges between Bellamy and Barrat are exciting and hilarious.

One day some college journalism students tour the newspaper building and Cagney strikes up a friendship with perky Patricia Ellis, who turns out to be the daughter of cop Robert Emmett O'Connor, who (okay, slight coincidence here) is the cop who arrested Cagney and sent him to prison.

Ellis develops a crush on Cagney but so does blonde office girl Alice White, who is currently Ralph Bellamy's girl but knows what she wants and isn't too shy about getting it. Ellis is the official love interest here but White's character is a lot more interesting.

The plot is lively but pretty standard, with both Cagney and Bellamy eventually finding themselves down and out but with a last chance for redemption. Cagney is really the whole attraction here - although his character is kind of a stinker, his outrageous behavior and that expressive face are irresistible.

A rich New York banker is murdered while visiting his small hometown. Rumors abound and his wife is accused of plotting the deed with a lover. Big city newspaper reporters descend on the town in two groups: the sensation mongers who want to drag out the story and build up the scandal, and the more responsible scribes out to report the facts.

Tom Brown is the local newspaper man who thinks he can make it big in the news game if he can just break one big story. Could this be his chance? Adrienne Dore is Brown's girlfriend and assistant down at the paper. She should know better but is easily impressed by the swagger of sleazy big city reporter Kenneth Thomson.

Top-billed Joan Blondell plays an ace reporter who arrives with the rest of the gang. She sees the scandal hounds for what they are and is beginning to wonder what she can do about it.

The reporters on this case seem to be the folks who do all the investigating - there's even a scene where the newsmen all go down to the jail and grill the suspect while the sheriff mildly looks on. Next the pushy reporters pressure the intimidated D. A. into bringing murder charges despite the flimsiest of evidence.

The moral of the story, which the picture seems determined to emphasize, is that the press must take its grave responsibilities seriously. It's a sincere commentary but very heavy-handed.

Blondell eventually has a few good scenes where she chooses her side. Grant Mitchell, as the chief representative of the ethical reporters, makes a nice speech about the press in a free society. Well intentioned, yes, but overall the picture is never too believable and takes itself rather too seriously.

Jack Oakie plays Duke, happy go lucky nightclub bandleader. He has a close but vaguely defined friendship with band singer Miriam Hopkins, whose new boyfriend William Collier Jr. Plays the saxophone and wants to marry her. She's not so sure about that idea, partly because shady former boyfriend George Raft is back in town and seems inclined to make trouble.

Oakie schemes to separate Collier from Hopkins by finding him a great job in another city - is Oakie protecting his sax player from the woman with a past? Or is he interested in Hopkins himself?

Meanwhile, Raft and his naive protege Paul Fix rob the nightclub office and shoot the manager. Fix flees town but Raft hangs around, determined to win back Hopkins, by force if necessary.

Of course, everything comes to a head when Collier returns to the club, Oakie realizes his own motives, and the cops show up looking for Raft.

It sounds like an old story, but the production is lively and inventive enough that the viewer never quite knows which direction it's going next. The dialog is occasionally snappy, and the cast is just fine, including Eugene Pallette and Lyda Roberti as a patron and dancer who pop into the picture every so often for some mild comic relief.

Charlie Chan travels to San Francisco on a missing person case: An heir is missing and his relatives and associates are about ready to have him declared dead so they can split up the estate. When the heir turns up but is immediately murdered, Chan sticks around to figure out which one did it.

The usual suspects are on hand: Henrietta Crosman as the feisty old aunt who is currently is possession of the estate; Rosina Lawrence as the aunt's well-meaning daughter and Charles Quigley as her loyal fiance; Astrid Allwyn as the other daughter, the one with a bad attitude; Egon Brecher as the caretaker who has a long history with the family; and Jonathan Hale as the shady family attorney.

Herbert Mundin provides adequate comic relief as the nervous butler who is reluctantly pressed into service as Chan's assistant.

The investigation includes a couple of seances performed by a local medium, and a fair amount of Mr. Chan searching the innards of the mysterious old house, traipsing down secret passages with his flashlight in one hand and revolver in the other. Warner Oland is fun to watch, as always, as the persistent sleuth.

All the story elements here are very familiar - but nevertheless pleasant enough. Overall this one is nothing sensational but still an enjoyable series entry.

Charlie Chan arrives in Shanghai to investigate a smuggling ring. His local contact is murdered before he gets a chance to talk with him. Suspects include the mysterious leader of the smuggling gang, a G-man who arrives to join the investigation, and the police commissioner himself. There's also of course the handsome young American in love with the attractive niece of the victim.

Luckily, Keye Luke is on hand as Lee Chan, who both assists in solving the case and livens up the plot with a bit of humor. Luke ties up the hotel room phone talking to a girlfriend, ventures out disguised as a beggar, throws a few punches when he and his pop need to escape from kidnappers - things are always lively when number one son is on the screen.

Warner Oland is excellent as usual as the soft-spoken but keen-witted Mr. Chan. Russell Hicks and Halliwell Hobbes are right at home as authorities who behave a bit suspiciously. Jon Hall and Irene Hervey are predictable but do just fine as the young couple.

Overall, an entertaining mix of deduction and action that includes some laughs.

Guy Kibbee plays Herbert, self-made man. Opinionated and irascible, Herbert delights in telling the story of how he went to went to work when he was 10 years old and worked his way up to owning the factory. Aline MacMahon is Herbert's loyal (but suffering) wife. She loves him patiently but wishes he would take down the unpleasant portrait of his scowling father and put away the family heirloom cuspidor.

The trouble starts when grownup daughter Patricia Ellis brings home handsome young lawyer Phillip Reed, whom she plans to marry. A family dinner is planned to welcome Reed and his parents - all before Kibbee has even heard about the engagement. Naturally Kibbee doesn't like lawyers, as he doesn't believe in college at all. He makes a scene, insults the guests, everyone is embarrassed.... and MacMahon decides to teach him a lesson.

Kibbee's antics and rantings are fun to watch even though his character is kind of a pain. MacMahon is excellent - an hour long B movie doesn't offer much room for character development but MacMahon really succeeds in portraying a loving spouse who can put up with a lot but be pushed only so far.

A simple, straightforward story that keeps the subplots and side characters to a minimum: Very enjoyable even though there's really not much to it.

William Powell is a talented young lawyer who practices on the working class side of town, serving poor but appreciative clients. When he wins a noteworthy case, Powell is invited to join a high class firm and moves to the rich side of the city. Loyal assistant Joan Blondell does not approve of the move but accompanies him to his ritzy new digs.

While Powell is a sharp lawyer, he is not very bright about women. He quickly gets on the wrong side of rich crook David Landau, who sets him up for a scandal using attractive Claire Dodd, who pretty effortlessly gets him charged with blackmail and ruins his reputation.

Rather suddenly, Powell comes to his senses and decides to get tough. He joins up with the syndicate running the city, gets himself appointed assistant district attorney, and sets out to take down the crooks who used him. It's all kind of vague - lots of court cases but few details.

William Powell is entertaining as always, although his character's transformation midway through the picture isn't particularly believable. Joan Blondell is fine as the steadfast and true friend who scolds him when he's foolish and tells him "I told you so" when he comes to his senses. Other than that, Blondell (unfortunately) doesn't have much to do except stand by and watch.

Very watchable but feels like it should have been better.

Guy Kibbee runs a traveling circus that barely makes any money. Since Kibbee is usually drunk, the whole show is really run by versatile circus assistant Winnie Lightner, who fills in wherever needed, including doing the flaming high dive into a shallow pool when the regular diver is out sick.

Lightner has an understanding with long time boyfriend Donald Woods, who works as a barker. Fellow circus employee Charles Butterworth has the hots for Lightner himself, although she considers him strictly low comic relief.

The action really starts when Lightner's kid sister Evelyn Knapp shows up and is immediately drawn to dangerously attractive Woods. Will Woods take advantage of her youthful crush? Or stay true to his devoted girl Winnie?

The plot isn't that great but at least the picture doesn't take itself too seriously. Butterworth has a few funny lines but his humorous moments are mainly rather tame bits like appearing in his nightgown while still wearing his hat. Woods is manly, Knapp is very cute, Kibbee is blustery as the boss who is generally overruled.

Winnie Lightner is clearly our heroine, the talented and dedicated woman holding the whole show together - and while she does fine, neither the plot nor the dialog really give her much to work with.

Mildly entertaining but mostly interesting for the cast.

Tom Conway wanders the streets at night. He has a bump on his head but can't remember what happened or even who he is. Taxi driver Ann Rutherford picks him up and patches up his wound.

Gradually and cautiously, they piece together a picture that includes a murdered theater producer, a stolen play manuscript - and Conway, who knows he is involved in this case somehow and is not at all sure he didn't do the murder himself.

As Conway and Rutherford uncover the facts of the case one by one, it becomes clear that Conway's best chance at clearing himself will be finding the real killer. The plot twists and turns are never too shocking but the story moves quickly as suspicion shifts from one shady candidate to another.

Richard Lane is fun as a reporter who repeatedly phones up his editor announcing that this time he's identified the real killer. No, really, this time I mean it! Emory Parnell, another familiar face to B movie fans, plays the dogged cop trying to keep up.

Part crime drama, part comedy - a fast pace and good performances from charismatic leads make this one a lot of fun.

Charlie Chan visits Egypt and stops at the home of Professor Arnold, leader of an archaeological expedition. Chan's mission is to inquire about artifacts that seem to have been stolen from the expedition and are showing up in European museums.

Chan quickly learns that the professor recently disappeared, leaving behind a worried group: his son, who recently suffered an accident at the tomb which he blames on an ancient curse; his daughter, who is romantically involved with a handsome young assistant archaeologist; and a couple of other professors on the expedition who may know something about the missing treasures and possibly the disappearance of the professor himself.

Chan's investigation naturally leads out to the tombs and includes hidden passages and secret rooms.

Warner Oland is solid as usual as the unflappable detective who discovers a corpse and eventually uncovers the murderer as well. Pat Paterson and Thomas Beck are not well remembered but do just fine as the young couple whom Chan assists. The cast also includes Rita Hayworth as a servant girl, as well as Stepin Fetchit as the family assistant who provides unfortunate comic relief.

Straightforward series entry with some excellent atmosphere and a decent whodunit plot.

Stepsisters Margaret Lindsay and Bette Davis move in the upper social circles of San Francisco. Davis is brash and extravagant, enjoying the night life and easily manipulating boyfriend Lyle Talbot. Lindsay, on the other hand, generally stays out of the papers but does catch the eye of handsome young reporter Donald Woods.

We soon learn that Davis is not only wild but also mixed up in some shady deals involving stolen bonds. Loyal sister Lindsay hopes to keep Davis out of mischief but the more she investigates, the deeper the trouble gets.

A great cast includes Alan Hale as the police chief, Robert Barrat as the family butler, and Douglass Dumbrille as a shady banker who flies in from the Honolulu branch to take part in the proceedings. Hugh Herbert provides modest comic relief as the newspaper cameraman who tags along with Woods.

Great photography includes nice outdoor San Francisco shots and also plenty of excellent interiors - staircases and shadows, art deco sets, all in a very ritzy house that includes an elevator that goes down to the street level garage around the corner from the main entrance.

Part family drama, part newspaperman-as-reporter adventure, this hour long B movie is fast moving fun. .

Aline MacMahon and Ann Dvorak run a gas station and auto camp out in the desert. They sell beer, water, Coca-Cola and it's the only gas for miles. MacMahon is the older sister, happy to fix cars and enjoy the peace and quiet. Dvorak, on the other hand, is still young and wants to have some fun. She's thinking about running away, or at least sneaking off to the dance in town.

Into this setting arrive some travelers: Preston Foster and Lyle Talbot, a pair of not-too-successful crooks on the run after a robbery. Hurriedly passing through on their way to Mexico, Foster decides to stick around for a bit and visit with old flame MacMahon, much to the chagrin of nervous and scared Talbot.

This little group is soon joined by Ruth Donnelly and Glenda Farrell, on their way back from Reno accompanied by chauffeur Frank McHugh, who may have something going on with Farrell.

The desert setting is strange and unique - obviously shot in studio, much of the action takes place out in a hot, gloomy yard, with occasional lightning flashes in the distance. A character study rather than action picture, this slightly edgy drama has excellent performances from MacMahon and Dvorak as the sisters who are close but sometimes clash.

A very solid Warner Brothers B movie that includes a few laughs from McHugh and Farrell.

On a remote Pacific island, in a tiny office, Humphrey Bogart and Margaret Lindsay are getting married during a nighttime thunderstorm. The ceremony is not quite done when news comes in of a foundering ship. Bogart rushes through the end of his vows then takes off out into the storm. He returns moments later having rescued handsome young Donald Woods, who is apparently on the run to or from something.

Things happen pretty fast in this efficient but exciting adventure picture. Woods and Bogart become pals; Woods expresses a romantic interest in Lindsay, who maintains her dignity; and outsiders arriving on the island hint at previous events that have brought these characters to such a far flung locale.

Along the way, Bogart dives for pearls and encounters a giant squid. Also a couple of Bogie's employees attempt to hijack his stash of pearls and he is rescued by his new friend Woods.

Donald Woods is fine as the standard tall handsome young newcomer. Margaret Lindsay isn't given much to do but nevertheless succeeds in showing a personality and taking some agency in making her own choices. Humphrey Bogart, not surprisingly, has the best role here as hard nosed businessman and loyal friend facing challenges from multiple directions.

At only an hour long, it's obviously no epic. But it's a lot of fun while it lasts.

A long opening sequence shows several very obnoxious rich drunk couples on a wild party - driving from house to house, breaking things, carrying on affairs and arguments. Finally the carousing winds down and we cut to the next morning, when nobody can remember what they did but one of the party is dead.

Lead couple Robert Young and Constance Cummings are celebrating an anniversary; others in their party include Sally Eilers as the murdered man's wife, and Reginald Denny and Louise Henry as another couple along on the binge. Mechanic Robert Armstrong and chauffeur Jack LaRue behave suspiciously. Butler Arthur Treacher is disgusted with the whole group - when given an instruction, he nods respectfully then mutters under his breath as he turns away.

Conveniently for Young and Cummings, one of their good buddies is local District Attorney Edward Arnold, and they call him up, hoping he will investigate discreetly. Arnold brings along loyal but dim assistant Edward Brophy, who has just been wishing that a good "moider" case would come along.

The plot as it progresses is nothing too surprising, and is in fact pretty unbelievable when Young and Cummings ditch their friend Arnold and go off to investigate on their own. Still, the great sets and some spooky lighting are fun to look at, and it all moves at a nice fast pace.

More comedy than mystery, and worthwhile for those who enjoy these lighthearted whodunits.

Charlie Chan is in Paris to investigate a case of counterfeited bonds. He sets up a visit with the bank, touches base with his friends on the local police force, and arranges a meeting with his undercover operative.

Unfortunately, before the meeting can take place, his contact is murdered and Chan is left to begin the investigation from scratch.

A key suspect is a character named Marcel Xavier, a mysterious figure who appears at key moments always wearing dark glasses, whiskers, and a hat - obviously it's a disguise but which real suspect is under there?

The cast includes Henry Kolker as the concerned banker, Erik Rhodes as a bohemian artist always on a spree, and Mary Brian and Thomas Beck as the standard handsome young couple.

Warner Oland is excellent as always as Charlie Chan - jovial at times but deadly serious when it counts. He is assisted by Keye Luke in his first appearance as Lee Chan, who plays it pretty straight: There's more detecting and less comic relief from the Number One Son than in some later series entries.

An exciting climax leads Chan to a hidden underground office, a secret printing press, and the final unmasking. Very good.

William Powell is a fast talking promoter whose latest sensational project is setting up a company to sell artificial rubber made from sewage. Sold on the idea by businessman George Sidney, who vouches for the scientist behind the scheme, Powell quickly rents a huge office space and begins hiring sales operatives.

Frank McHugh is right at home as Powell's right hand man, also talking fast and handling important details like begging Powell's fed up girlfriend Evelyn Brent to come back in and work the front desk. Brent eventually joins the firm but is ready at any minute to throw it all up and go marry that South American millionaire.

The fun cast also includes Guy Kibbee as one of Powell's buddies who is appointed president of the new company mainly because he looks the part; Evelyn Knapp as a secretary who thinks Powell is just the best; and Charles Middleton as a coal industry representative who stops in to threaten lawsuits and investigations.

The plot is hardly believable but appealing characters and snappy dialog keep it moving right along. William Powell is easily the main attraction here, and gives a slick performance as the lovable rogue who may not be completely on the level but is nevertheless practically irresistible.

Nothing too memorable but plenty of fun while it lasts.

Rich girl Joan Bennett is wanted by the police - it looks like she shot the man who ruined her sister's life. Thinking fast, Bennett drives her car into the San Francisco Bay, dyes her hair, and hops a boat for Hawaii.

The cops call in clever but unpredictable detective Fredric March, who follows Bennett's trail, easily catches up with her - and then instead of arresting her, falls in love with her.

Also involved in the chase is Ralph Bellamy as the detective sent along to assist March - he thinks he's pretty sharp but is always at least one step behind everyone else. Ann Sothern is March's secretary who is supposed to be home minding the shop but steadfastly follows the action wherever it leads, gradually befriending Bennett and then working up a little romance of her own with Bellamy.

The globe trotting story covers lots of territory and includes some fun travelogue-type footage. March and Bennett are both fine in the lead roles, although their inevitable romance is never too surprising. Sothern is outstanding as the unflappable secretary who refuses to be ignored, and Bellamy is hilarious as the super-confident dolt.

The plot is just okay, but enthusiastic performances make this one plenty of fun.

Suave butler Paul Lukas greatly admires his wealthy employer, one of those vaguely royal European noblemen who wanders around the continent carrying on romantic affairs. Lukas even practices copying the prince's mannerisms and pickup lines.

Traveling with the prince's luggage, he meets attractive and well dressed Elissa Landi and allows her to think he is the prince himself as they strike up a relationship on the train. They quickly fall in love - and Lukas is reluctant to tell her the truth, afraid that she will not be interested when she learns he is only a butler. Landi, on the other hand, is similarly shifty about her own identity....

Nils Asther is lots of fun as the real prince, who readily plays along with Lukas's game when the opportunity comes up. Landi is fine as the leading lady, sometimes very funny as she alternates between displaying allure and alarm. Lukas is good, too, as the slightly goofy impostor whose scheme starts to get out of control.

The plot and all its little devices - candles, champagne, unscrewing a fuse so the lights go out at the right moment - are not only silly but really rather predictable for the most part. Still, this is a solid entry in the early genre of comedies about misbehaving European royalty.

Broke ex-serviceman Robert Cummings finds a wallet on the sidewalk. He dutifully tracks down its owner, who turns out to be wealthy gangster Steve Cochran. Hired on as chauffeur, Cummings gets to know Cochran, his loyal assistant Peter Lorre, and his beautiful but unhappy wife Michele Morgan.

It's a classic noir situation, and soon enough Cummings is lured by Morgan into joining her in an attempt to escape to Cuba. They hatch a good plan but of course nothing is ever simple.

The plot includes a lengthy dream or hallucination sequence which takes us to Cuba and then back again. Along the way, we learn that Cummings is not only down and out but also has been having blackouts.

Cummings and Morgan are very good as the desperate couple. Jack Holt is fine as a Navy doctor who has been working with Cummings. And radio announcer Don Wilson has a nice bit as an associate of Cochran.

The action is sometimes confusing but never slow moving and builds to a very exciting climax.

Also very neat is Cochran's back seat driver setup: He has a gas pedal and brake pedal in the back seat of his car with a switch that overrides the driver's controls. In his initial drive as chauffeur, Cummings has to steer while Cochran pushes the car to 100 miles per hour and they race a train. Crazy but thrilling.

Assorted country house guests agree to participate in a séance. A fellow guest has been murdered, a well-known spiritual medium is in the neighborhood, so why not? Maybe someone in the spirit world can tell them who did the murder. It might work! Unfortunately, during the séance, another murder occurs.

Bela Lugosi is great to watch as the detective who takes charge of the case, interrogating and sometimes intimidating suspects with those piercing eyes and that forceful voice.

Margaret Wycherly is intense if rather overdramatic as Madame La Grange, the medium who conceals her relationship with one of the guests. The cast also includes Leila Hyams as a leading suspect who is engaged to Conrad Nagel, who loyally sticks up for her.

The dialog is sometimes hard to pick up - this is definitely an early talkie. However, there are some impressive moments, including a scene where the lights go out for an extended period and we are left to guess - along with the characters on the screen - what is happening there in the dark.

Not a classic but still entertaining and even suspenseful.

Vaguely sinister doctor George Zucco runs a private hospital. Distant relative Bela Lugosi arrives for an unexpected visit. Zucco's daughter-in-law Molly Lamont has a secret - apparently something really bad.

Joining this trio are various standard murder mystery characters who essentially loaf around the hospital waiting for something to happen:

Nat Pendleton is a former cop looking for a murder to solve so he can get back on the force; Douglas Fowley is a smart aleck newspaper reporter looking for a scoop; Joyce Compton is Fowley's girlfriend, enlisted to help watch for clues and get in the way.

This would-be thriller makes little sense but is nevertheless lots of fun. The story is told mainly in flashback, with frequent bits of narration spoken by a dead woman lying in the morgue. It's filmed in Cinecolor, which gives the film a unique look but also points up just how weak the rest of the production values are.

A curiosity worth watching for those who enjoy B movies, no matter how goofy.

Boris Karloff is the efficient proprietor of Happy's, the kind of nightclub where every customer has a bottle hidden underneath the table.

Amidst a variety of sinister goings-on, chorus girl Mae Clark steps out of her way to help sad young man Lew Ayres pull himself together. Drunk and pathetic, Ayres hangs out at the club every night to mope over a family tragedy.

Gambling and bootlegging, a bit of fisticuffs, and some nice chorus line dancing finally lead up to a bit of noisy excitement in the last few minutes of this tidy, hard-boiled drama.

A solid cast also includes Clarence Muse as a philosophical doorman, George Raft as a gambler who has his eye on Clark, and Dorothy Revier as Karloff's wife.

Mae Clark and Lew Ayres are fine as the leading couple whose relationship is less a romance than a mutual impulse to rescue each other. And it's definitely fun to see Boris Karloff in a straight non-horror role. Overall, a grim but rather moving story.

Relatives are gathered at the mansion to hear the rich old lady's will. Looking for a bargain, real estate agent Broderick Crawford and antique dealer Hugh Herbert crash the party, much to the annoyance of both the family and the old lady herself, who is not planning to die just yet.

Soon there is a mysterious death and Crawford sticks around to sort the suspects. Nephew Basil Rathbone is very suspicious; his wife Gladys Cooper is also behaving oddly; grouchy young relative Alan Ladd is offensive to just about everyone. Then there's Gale Sondergaard as the appropriately spooky housekeeper, and Bela Lugosi as the handyman who doesn't say much but always seems to be hanging around.

Crawford dashes up and down stairs chasing clues, and also finds time to romance Anne Gwynn, another potential heir who may or may not be interested in him. Hugh Hubert is strictly comic relief, wandering from room to room picking up antiques and muttering to himself, looking and behaving an awful lot like Lou Costello.

One funny scene: Crawford spots Lugosi out in the rainy yard, hoisting a sack into the back of a wagon. Crawford races out, grabs away the bag and tears it open, expecting a dead body - and instead releases a load of cats who quickly scatter, much to the chagrin of Lugosi, who was taking them in out of the rain and now has to go round them all up again.

No real thrills here but it's fun - definitely more spoof than thriller.