I can imagine this very entertaining comedy-mystery as a welcome escape from the pain of a severe economic depression in 1932. My own grandfather, alleged to be a fanatical movie fan, was found dead of a heart attack in the same year outside of a theatre in downtown Newark, N.J. Apparently, even the movies could not relieve the stress, at least not for him.
Edna May Oliver was one of the greatest character actors of all time. No one could deliver her stinging one-liners, some which contained subtle sexual references, with the same combination of aristocracy, wry wit, and benevolence. A descendant of founding father John Adams, she even looks as if she just stepped off the Mayflower. This appearance was followed by two more Hildegard Withers mysteries, two more memorable Dickens classics, and, among other roles, the Oscar nominated portrayal of the widow McKlennar in "Drums Along the Mohawk" (1939).
Set mostly in the original New York Aquarium at the southern tip of Manhattan, the film initially leads the viewer to believe that the death of Parker is resolved early with the confession of Philip Seymour. It's much more complicated than that, and we are soon considering the guilt of several potential suspects.
Although there is no obvious romantic tie between Miss Withers and detective Oscar Piper (James Gleason) as they partner to discover the true murderer, there is an attraction between them that is developing beneath the surface and that leads to a second surprise at the end.
Some reviewers are also surprised that Miss Withers' class is so ethnically and racially diverse in 1932. My father's 1926 eighth grade class photo from the Charlton Street School in the impoverished Central Ward of Newark, N.J. reveals even much more racial diversity in real life.
Beyond the wonderful performances of Oliver and Gleason, as well as a decent supporting cast, and the snappy, pre-code dialogue from Willis Goldbeck, I love the penguins but wish that they were in their native habitat, climate change or not.
Edna May Oliver was one of the greatest character actors of all time. No one could deliver her stinging one-liners, some which contained subtle sexual references, with the same combination of aristocracy, wry wit, and benevolence. A descendant of founding father John Adams, she even looks as if she just stepped off the Mayflower. This appearance was followed by two more Hildegard Withers mysteries, two more memorable Dickens classics, and, among other roles, the Oscar nominated portrayal of the widow McKlennar in "Drums Along the Mohawk" (1939).
Set mostly in the original New York Aquarium at the southern tip of Manhattan, the film initially leads the viewer to believe that the death of Parker is resolved early with the confession of Philip Seymour. It's much more complicated than that, and we are soon considering the guilt of several potential suspects.
Although there is no obvious romantic tie between Miss Withers and detective Oscar Piper (James Gleason) as they partner to discover the true murderer, there is an attraction between them that is developing beneath the surface and that leads to a second surprise at the end.
Some reviewers are also surprised that Miss Withers' class is so ethnically and racially diverse in 1932. My father's 1926 eighth grade class photo from the Charlton Street School in the impoverished Central Ward of Newark, N.J. reveals even much more racial diversity in real life.
Beyond the wonderful performances of Oliver and Gleason, as well as a decent supporting cast, and the snappy, pre-code dialogue from Willis Goldbeck, I love the penguins but wish that they were in their native habitat, climate change or not.