Murder runs amok in an English Manor house as the local vicar turns sleuth to solve the mystery.Murder runs amok in an English Manor house as the local vicar turns sleuth to solve the mystery.Murder runs amok in an English Manor house as the local vicar turns sleuth to solve the mystery.
Nigel Playfair
- Dr. Moody
- (as Sir Nigel Playfair)
Michael Bilton
- Youth With Straw Boater
- (uncredited)
Toni Edgar-Bruce
- Tourist
- (uncredited)
Mary Jerrold
- Mrs. Jones
- (uncredited)
James Knight
- Newspaper Editor
- (uncredited)
Charles Rolfe
- Shooting Gallery Attendant
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaTalkie debut for West End musical comedy star Phyllis Dare, who also made three silent films.
- SoundtracksJohn and Sam Overture
(uncredited)
Music by John Ansell
Featured review
Phyllis Dare Talkie Debut
Snappy British murder mystery set in an idyllic village where almost everyone seems to have a secret that's linked to the sudden death of the local squire. The photography is among the highlights of the film and director Bernard Vorhaus keeps it moving at a fair clip.
No one suspects anything when the squire dies. He had a bad heart. His will leaves just about all his estate to his American ward (Sally Blane) who's on the verge of marrying a local boy (Anthony Bushell), but he's reluctant because the villagers will say he's marrying her for her money. Of course he's reluctant for another reason. But when Claire (Phyllis Dare) comes forward and claims to have secretly married the old squire a month ago, the level of gossip in the village is so high, an exhumation is ordered and it's discovered the old man was poisoned! It's a terrific cat and mouse game that we get from this point on, with virtually everyone having a big fat motive for killing the squire.
Cast includes Judy Kelly as the maid, Lewis Casson as the vicar, Nigel Playfair as the doctor, Gus McNaughton as the butler, George Merritt as the detective, Norma Varden as the typist, and Toni Edgar-Bruce as a tourist.
Sally Blane is quite good, but the real treat is the chance to see Phyllis Dare in what may be her only surviving film. Dare was mentioned in an episode of Downton Abbey as the epitome of the West End musical star. She made only 3 silent films and only 3 talkies. This was her talkie debut (at age 43). She apparently appeared on stage through the 1940s.
No one suspects anything when the squire dies. He had a bad heart. His will leaves just about all his estate to his American ward (Sally Blane) who's on the verge of marrying a local boy (Anthony Bushell), but he's reluctant because the villagers will say he's marrying her for her money. Of course he's reluctant for another reason. But when Claire (Phyllis Dare) comes forward and claims to have secretly married the old squire a month ago, the level of gossip in the village is so high, an exhumation is ordered and it's discovered the old man was poisoned! It's a terrific cat and mouse game that we get from this point on, with virtually everyone having a big fat motive for killing the squire.
Cast includes Judy Kelly as the maid, Lewis Casson as the vicar, Nigel Playfair as the doctor, Gus McNaughton as the butler, George Merritt as the detective, Norma Varden as the typist, and Toni Edgar-Bruce as a tourist.
Sally Blane is quite good, but the real treat is the chance to see Phyllis Dare in what may be her only surviving film. Dare was mentioned in an episode of Downton Abbey as the epitome of the West End musical star. She made only 3 silent films and only 3 talkies. This was her talkie debut (at age 43). She apparently appeared on stage through the 1940s.
helpful•70
- drednm
- Oct 29, 2019
Details
- Runtime1 hour 9 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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