Viewing Single Post From: What are the best 30's mysteries?

Viewing Single Post From: What are the best 30's mysteries?
mort bakaprevski	Jun 29 2009, 03:13 PM
Soony Roony! Posts: 1,433 Group: Members Member #73 Joined: January 1, 2006	I recently purchased 6 “old-dark-house” films from Alpha for a Survivor Game (Poverty Row Mystery/Horror Movies from the 30’s) I’m playing on another site. The price was right: less than $5/film given that one was a two-fer. Out of the six, my favorite was ONE FRIGHTENED NIGHT, produced by Mascot in 1935. It was directed by Christy Cabanne (the man who makes William Beaudine look like Alfred Hitchcock) and starred Charley Grapewin (the poor man’s Lionel Barrymore… except I think he actually invented the cranky old man shtick that Barrymore used). Mr. Affable (Regis Toomey) is the “juvenile” (as they used to refer to them) and Fred Kelsey & Adrian Morris do their usual “dumb cop” roles to perfection. This time Clarence Wilson turns up as a (dishonest?) lawyer & Rafaela Ottiano shows once again why she shoulda got the role of Mrs. Danvers. Wallace Ford is, as expected, irritating (at least he is to me), but Hedda Hopper is terrific. Fun flick!! However, what really made this a standout (for me) is that it contains a treasure trove of Abe Meyer music. The only film I can think of that might have more is THE RETURN OF CHANDU. There are over ½ dozen themes utilized including my three favorites (“Stealthy Footsteps”, “Dance of the Furies” & one I’ve never been able to find the title to). “Stealthy Footsteps” is used three times (once under the credits) & the last version is so long, I heard parts that were brand new to me. Poverty row it may be… but a fun way to spend a little over an hour!!
	“You’ve got to take the bitter with the sour.”

What are the best 30's mysteries? · Who Done It?