The Plot Thickens

I saw this movie for the first and only time in the late '80's on AMC and have been searching for it to purchase ever since. My son, who was then 6 years old, and I laughed and chuckled throughout the movie at the dry wit, sarcasm and humor. You have to pay attention, because like many other movies of this era, there is a plot (!!) and a true storyline and you have to be listening to catch the sometimes subtle humor, particularly between Gleason's and Pitts' characters. My kids grew up on these old B&W's and can't understand why their friends don't find them entertaining. Since it's not a "splash & gash" movie of today, with no storyline and only loud music and special effects, most young people (and many adults) today would no doubt find it boring. It's not "Arsenic & Old Lace" or "The Maltese Falcon", but it's a very funny old B&W and I have every intention of purchasing it ASAP!

From 1936, The Plot Thickens sure does - it starts as one thing and ends as another. James Gleason and Zasu Pitts star in this Hildegarde Withers mystery.

A man, John Carter (Richard Tucker) is found deceased in his study by his butler (Arthur Aylesworth). Inspector Oscar Piper (James Gleason) is called in and summons Hildegarde Withers (Pitts), who always has interesting deductions.

There are a few suspects. One is Alice Stevens. Another is her boyfriend, Robert Wilkins, who was seen arguing with Carter by the cop who patrols the park. There was also a Frenchman seen speaking with Carter.

The mystery deepens, as the murder seems mixed up with valuable museum pieces that have been stolen.

As Hildegarde, Pitts comes off as a little dizzy, but she doesn't miss a trick, is very self-sufficient, and works well with Gleason, who plays a smart cop.

There are some twists and turns, making this an enjoyable mystery.

Zasu Pitts takes over the role of Hildegarde Withers for the first of two appearances in the role. She and James Gleason must deal not only with a murder, but with the theft of a piece of Cellini silver from a museum.

The recasting from Edna May Oliver is probably why Miss Pitts entrance is delayed until a quarter hour into the film; some one probably thought it would make people more answer to see her. She acquits herself quite handily, of course, but there seems to be a lack of snap in her chemistry with Gleason... or perhaps that's just a hangover from the snappish Miss Oliver.

Back in the 1930s, Edna May Oliver played amateur detective Hildegarde Withers in several very successful films. Unfortunately, when Miss Oliver went to MGM to work, this left a vacancy. RKO/Radio Pictures didn't want to discontinue the series and they tried a couple actresses in the role...though none were as good as Oliver. In "The Plot Thickens", they tried out Zazu Pitts in the lead...and they apparently liked her enough to have her appear once more time as the detective.

Soon after the story begins, a man is shot. Was he the victim of a jealous boyfriend? It appears this way. However, through the course of the picture, it becomes obvious that the victim was a jerk...and had something to do with the theft of a valuable piece of art, the Cellini Cup.

I liked this film for many reasons. Much of it was because the film had lots of false leads that kept you guessing. And, much was because the detective (James Gleason) investigating the case was NOT an idiot and often made smart moves. So, instead of Hildegarde saving the day and constantly out-thinking the cops, she was more an assistant to an already capable guy...which made this much unlike the average B-mystery. Well worth seeing...even without Oliver.

Inspector Oscar Piper (James Gleason) has a baffling new case on his hands when John Carter (Richard Tucker) is found dead in his study by his butler, Kendall (Arthur Aylesworth). There are several suspicious people in Carter's circle. Alice Stevens seems to be the last person to have seen Carter alive; her boyfriend, Robert Wilkins, was seen arguing with Carter by a cop; and there's a mysterious stranger with a French accent whom Kendall overheard speaking with Carter before the crime took place. The further the investigation moves along, the more baffling the mystery, but Oscar has a secret weapon that may help him crack the case: schoolteacher/sleuth Hildegarde (ZaSu Pitts) Withers.

Pitts and Gleason play very well off of one another. ZaSu is really good as Hildergarde, and though she's not as distinctive as Edna May Oliver, she gives her own spin on the character, and comes across a bit dizzy yet intelligent and self-assured, and witty. She appears to be inattentive and "all over the place", but in reality she's analytical and doesn't miss a thing. As one reviewer rightly said, it's Columbo style of misdirection.

As for the mystery, it's quite good, has plenty of twist and turns, interesting suspects, a neat buildup to the murder, and a satisfying denouement, though it can be a little convoluted at times.