THE PENGUIN POOL MURDER is an affectionate little murder mystery from the early days of Hollywood. Far from creaky and mannered as the year might suggest, this is instead a lively little film in which a murder takes place in an aquarium, the doors are locked and then a couple of sleuths have to figure out who's responsible.
The movie is notable for being the first outing for the character of Miss Withers, an unlikely crime-solver who would go on to star in other mystery dramas. Imagine Miss Withers as a sort of American Miss Marple and you'll be close, and Edna May Oliver is very good in the part, bringing warm humour to the show. That's not the disparage the rest of the cast, who are also effective in their various roles.
It's fair to say that THE PENGUIN POOL MURDER is an unpredictable little film. The murder itself seems open and shut to begin with but as is often the way with these things it soon gets rather complicated, but always watchable. Not bad at all.
The movie is notable for being the first outing for the character of Miss Withers, an unlikely crime-solver who would go on to star in other mystery dramas. Imagine Miss Withers as a sort of American Miss Marple and you'll be close, and Edna May Oliver is very good in the part, bringing warm humour to the show. That's not the disparage the rest of the cast, who are also effective in their various roles.
It's fair to say that THE PENGUIN POOL MURDER is an unpredictable little film. The murder itself seems open and shut to begin with but as is often the way with these things it soon gets rather complicated, but always watchable. Not bad at all.