A Shot in the Dark (1935)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Charles Lamont

Writers:

Charles Belden (adaptation)
Clifford Orr (novel)

Release Date:

1 February 1935 (USA)

Genre:

Mystery

Tagline:

The infallible detective meets the perfect crime!

Plot:

A group of people gathered in an old mansion are being systematically murdered by a hooded killer. |

Plot Keywords:

College | Based On Novel

Cast

Charles Starrett	...	Kenneth 'Ken' Harris
Robert Warwick	...	Joseph Harris
Edward Van Sloan	...	Prof. Bostwick
Marion Shilling	...	Jean Coates
Helen Jerome Eddy	...	Miss Lottie Case
Doris Lloyd	...	Lucille Coates
James Bush	...	Byron Coates / John Meseraux
Julian Madison	...	Charlie Penlon
Eddie Tamblyn	...	Bill Smart
Ralph Brooks	...	Sam Anderson
Robert McKenzie	...	Sheriff
John Davidson	...	Prof. Brand
Herbert Bunston	...	College President
George Morrell	...	Deputy Ab Barber
Broderick O'Farrell	...	Dr. Howell

Runtime:

69 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor High Fidelity Sound System)

Filming Locations:

Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company:

Chesterfield Motion Pictures Corporation (I)

An Entertaining Low-Budget Mystery Film of the Mid-1930s

This is an entertaining murder mystery of the mid-1930s made on a budget so small it would fit in a child's pocket. The lack of production values and largely unknown cast do not however detract from the appeal of this unpretentious offering, for those who like creaky old mystery films and enjoy seeing the manners and mores of a bygone era. The only performance which really stands out is by Robert Warwick, who was a cut above the rest and does superbly well, old trooper and charmer that he was. The plot outline given for this film at the moment is entirely wrong, is obviously that of another film, and should be replaced, as this film is not about people in a room being murdered. It is set on a university campus, though no classrooms come into it, and it is all about someone inheriting when he turns 21 and whether he hangs himself or not. Some novel twists are introduced, an unusual murder weapon appears, and there are some far-fetched solutions. But it is all good fun for those who are not fussy. in other words, people who just like a good mystery film and do not demand modern stars, big budgets, car chases, and exploding buildings.