The House of a Thousand Candles

Irving Pichel is so suave that he murders conscience-stricken Mischa Auer without seeming to notice it. But Auer doesn't have the secret coded message. That winds up in the hands of diplomat Philip Holmes. He is under orders to carry it to the conference of Geneva. However spy and dancer Rosita Morena wants it for Pichel. Also, Holmes' girl friend, Mae Clarke, can't be shaken off Holmes's trail.

At least, I think that's what's going on. There are two reels inexpertly cut out of this movie. Supposedly it was done to make it fit into television schedules. Better copies do not seem to exist. The result is a series of poorly motivated chases, suave Pichel kills someone, and then it's another chase. I suspect that a complete copy might make sense and even be enjoyable. For the moment, however, avoid any copy of 55 minutes or less.