The Moonstone (1934)

Typical Monogram whodunit from the 30's, with dialogue and sound effects based on the well known mystery book with same title. A valuable gem from India is stolen in an old dark mansion and... See full summary »

Director:

Reginald Barker

Writers:

Adele S. Buffington, Wilkie Collins (novel)

Stars:

David Manners, Phyllis Barry, Gustav von Seyffertitz

Cast

Complete credited cast:
David Manners	...	Franklin Blake
Phyllis Barry	...	Ann Verinder (misspelled Anne in opening credits)
Gustav von Seyffertitz	...	Carl Von Lucker
Jameson Thomas	...	Godfrey Ablewhite
Herbert Bunston	...	Sir John Verinder
Charles Irwin	...	Inspector Cuff
Elspeth Dudgeon	...	Betteredge, Housekeeper
John Davidson	...	Yandoo
Claude King	...	Sir Basil Wynard
Olaf Hytten	...	Dr. Ezra Jennings
Evalyn Bostock	...	Roseanna Spearman, Maid (as Evelyn Bostock)
Fred Walton	...	Henry the Butler
John Power	...	The Driver
Harold Entwistle	...	Sutter
A.C. Henderson	...	Robbin

Storyline

Typical Monogram whodunit from the 30's, with dialogue and sound effects based on the well known mystery book with same title. A valuable gem from India is stolen in an old dark mansion and it is up to Scotland Yard inspector Charles Irwin to find out who did it among all the suspects who were in the house.

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Plot Keywords:

scotland yard | jewel thief | heiress | b movie | ex convict | 

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Taglines:

An Unseen Menace That Struck In The Night

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Mystery | Romance | Thriller

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 August 1934 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Jóia Maldita

Company Credits

Production Co:

Monogram Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

62 min 46 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Crazy Credits

Moonstone opening has the words "Monogram" and "Pictures" moving like trains through a futuristic building.

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Connections

Version of The Moonstone (1915)

User Reviews

Got mooned by 'The Moonstone"

Despite the hackneyed premise and milieu, the stage was set for a pretty interesting murder mystery. It is a 'gloomy-mansion-on-a-dark-and-stormy-night' movie, which can be very absorbing if done right. It had a good collection of characters/suspects and got off to a good start.

All of sudden came the scientific-drivel denouement, the deus-ex-machina, which was both cynical and anti-climactic. This was the best the author could do? And why the rush to a conclusion? the story is short enough as is. Good performances all around and the production values were very adequate, considering this was a Poverty Row production.

Sorry I can't recommend this one, but I still have a lot of movies left in my DVD collection. On to the next case.