From the start Wallace Ford was a great character actor. He was not just another cardboard leading man but bought another dimension to his roles, as the narrow minded boyfriend Joan Crawford leaves behind in "Possessed" (1931) and a brash young policeman, seduced to do wrong by a luscious Jean Harlow in "The Beast of the City" (1932). In "Freaks" (1932) he seemed to have a real sympathy for his co-stars - it really came across in the movie. By the mid 30s he was finding character work in mystery/ horror movies.
After a flashy early role as the femme fatale Sally in "Our Daily Bread" (1934), Barbara Pepper didn't take advantage of her chance at stardom and was to alternate between uncredited parts in As and leads and supports in poverty rowers.
Jimmy Kelly (Wallace Ford) is a private detective and wants to marry Marjorie Burns. Barbara Pepper looks so much like a young Lucille Ball. Apparently they were great friends. Jimmy and Marjorie are sent to gloomy Red Rock Tarvern, where a Justice of the Peace happens to be. Clara Kimball Young, who was a great star of the early silents, gets a part she can really sink her teeth into here, as Mrs. Jamison, the strange manager of the tavern. They arrive in the middle of a murder. Someone has mysteriously sent telegrams to the guests telling them to meet there but no-one seems to know who sent them!!! A wild police dog has savaged one of the guests and he has died. By the time the guests are in their rooms the wild dog has struck again. Jimmy tries to telephone the coroner but discovers the wires have been cut. The dog (is it Rin Tin Tin!!! - no it's Silver Wolf!!!) almost strikes again with Marjorie the intended victim but Jimmy is convinced a human is responsible and finds the dog and befriends it.
It is a diverting film about jewel smugglers, an elderly man who is supposed to be in a wheelchair but isn't and a mad inventor. Very "old dark house" just not as good!!!
Recommended.
After a flashy early role as the femme fatale Sally in "Our Daily Bread" (1934), Barbara Pepper didn't take advantage of her chance at stardom and was to alternate between uncredited parts in As and leads and supports in poverty rowers.
Jimmy Kelly (Wallace Ford) is a private detective and wants to marry Marjorie Burns. Barbara Pepper looks so much like a young Lucille Ball. Apparently they were great friends. Jimmy and Marjorie are sent to gloomy Red Rock Tarvern, where a Justice of the Peace happens to be. Clara Kimball Young, who was a great star of the early silents, gets a part she can really sink her teeth into here, as Mrs. Jamison, the strange manager of the tavern. They arrive in the middle of a murder. Someone has mysteriously sent telegrams to the guests telling them to meet there but no-one seems to know who sent them!!! A wild police dog has savaged one of the guests and he has died. By the time the guests are in their rooms the wild dog has struck again. Jimmy tries to telephone the coroner but discovers the wires have been cut. The dog (is it Rin Tin Tin!!! - no it's Silver Wolf!!!) almost strikes again with Marjorie the intended victim but Jimmy is convinced a human is responsible and finds the dog and befriends it.
It is a diverting film about jewel smugglers, an elderly man who is supposed to be in a wheelchair but isn't and a mad inventor. Very "old dark house" just not as good!!!
Recommended.