This weak murder mystery B-movie stars Frederick Brady as newshound Terry Nichols, who is assigned to a story concerning his father-in-law-to-be, Walter Elliot (Jonathan Hale), who is presently running for senate. Fifteen years earlier, Elliot was cleared as a suspect in a murder case, but new evidence, uncovered by elderly recluse Cora Williams, has come to light that could ruin his political career. To clear his name once and for all, Walter travels to the island home of Cora, accompanied by his daughter Gay (Lois Collier), Terry and photographer Pidge (Noah Beery Jr.), attorney Tom McGalvey (Douglass Dumbrille) and private detective Ken Grady (Paul Kelly).
Soon after arriving, Cora is murdered, just the first in a series of killings. Terry attempts to uncover the identity of the murderer, with a little help from a black cat that might now be host to the spirit of Cora.
This one uses many of the familiar genre tropes - a creepy old house, mysterious figures lurking in the shadows, and numerous red herrings - but the plot is far too convoluted for its own good (and the very short run time) and it all becomes rather repetitive (characters seem to be forever running upstairs to the same room, so much so that Pidge even comments on it!). Prolific director Erle C. Kenton, who helmed several superior Universal horrors, fails to generate much in the way of suspense or atmosphere, and his unexceptional cast does little to help matters. Oh, and one thing really confused me: the plot involves a hidden stash of $200,000 that everyone is keen to get their hands on, but I am sure that it is said that the $1000 notes were out of circulation, which would surely make the cash worthless.
3/10.
Soon after arriving, Cora is murdered, just the first in a series of killings. Terry attempts to uncover the identity of the murderer, with a little help from a black cat that might now be host to the spirit of Cora.
This one uses many of the familiar genre tropes - a creepy old house, mysterious figures lurking in the shadows, and numerous red herrings - but the plot is far too convoluted for its own good (and the very short run time) and it all becomes rather repetitive (characters seem to be forever running upstairs to the same room, so much so that Pidge even comments on it!). Prolific director Erle C. Kenton, who helmed several superior Universal horrors, fails to generate much in the way of suspense or atmosphere, and his unexceptional cast does little to help matters. Oh, and one thing really confused me: the plot involves a hidden stash of $200,000 that everyone is keen to get their hands on, but I am sure that it is said that the $1000 notes were out of circulation, which would surely make the cash worthless.
3/10.