Murder at Midnight (1931)

Wealthy Mr. Kennedy shoots his secretary, Channing, during a parlor game, but it turns out the gun was loaded with real bullets. Luckily, criminologist Phillip Montrose is on hand to help ... See full summary »

Director:

Frank R. Strayer

Writers:

Scott Darling (story), Frank R. Strayer (story),

Stars:

Aileen Pringle, Alice White, Hale Hamilton

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Aileen Pringle	...	Esme Kennedy
Alice White	...	Millie Scripps
Hale Hamilton	...	Phillip Montrose
Robert Elliott	...	Inspector Taylor
Clara Blandick	...	Aunt Julia Gray Kennedy
Brandon Hurst	...	Lawrence
Leslie Fenton	...	Walter Grayson
William Humphrey	...	Colton
Tyrell Davis	...	The Englishman
Aileen Carlyle	...	Ella (as Aileen Carlisle)
Kenneth Thomson	...	Jim Kennedy
Robert Ellis	...	Duncan Channing

Storyline

Wealthy Mr. Kennedy shoots his secretary, Channing, during a parlor game, but it turns out the gun was loaded with real bullets. Luckily, criminologist Phillip Montrose is on hand to help the police. When Kennedy quickly ends up dead as well, the police think it's a tidy murder-suicide, but the family lawyer knows of a letter that voiced Kennedy's suspicions about someone who was out to get him. Soon, the cops are on the trail of a ruthless and clever killer who is one step ahead of even Montrose.

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Plot Keywords:

b movie | murder

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Taglines:

Sixteen-cylinder action that will spin you spellbound through avenues of tingling thrills and by-ways of baffling mystery!

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Genres:

Mystery

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 September 1931 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Tiffany Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

69 min

Sound Mix:

Mono Mono (RCA Photophone System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Inspector Taylor: [About the killer] The police department could have used a brain like that.
Aunt Julia Gray Kennedy: The police department could use any brain.

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Connections

Remade as The Mystery of Mr. Wong (1939)

User Reviews

Pretty good 'Old B'

Do you like 'whodunnits'? The other kind is a 'cat-and-mouse' picture, wherein the killer is known from the outset. I don't like those but am a sucker for a 'whodunnit', especially a well made one. "Murder at Midnight" is a whodunnit although a primitive one, but it holds your interest throughout - but just barely at times due to the ice-cutter pacing. Was thrown off somewhat by the lack of a music track, something we have become used to as the sound era wore on.

Hadn't seen Alice White before but will look for her from now on - cute as the proverbial button. Thought Aileen Pringle was a dead ringer for Ruth Chatterton, and that the film was helped a great deal by several distinguished actors in tuxedos. Makes you think what a shame it is that men rarely wear tuxes anymore except at weddings.

I'm trying to get through my gift box of old mysteries on DVD and I am always appreciative when I come to one worth the time to view it, as opposed to scads of 'quota quickies' and poorly made B's. I gave "Murder at Midnight a rating of 7, because it is a cut above.