The Black Raven (1943)

Director:

Sam Newfield

Writer:

Fred Myton (original screenplay)

Release Date:

31 May 1943 (USA)

Genre:

Mystery

Plot:

A group of strangers are brought together in an old, dark house and must contend with two murders and $50,000 in stolen money. |

Plot Keywords:

Old Dark House | Stolen Money | Murder | False Accusation | Hotel

Cast

George Zucco	...	Amos Bradford aka The Raven
Wanda McKay	...	Lee Winfield
Robert Livingston	...	Allen Bentley (as Robert Randall)
Noel Madison	...	Mike Bardoni
Byron Foulger	...	Horace Weatherby
Charles Middleton	...	Sheriff (as Charlie Middleton)
Robert Middlemass	...	Tim Winfield
Glenn Strange	...	Andy
I. Stanford Jolley	...	Whitey Cole

Runtime:

61 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Canada:PG (Ontario) | USA:Approved (PCA #9170)

Company:

Producers Releasing Corporation

Quotes:

Amos Bradford: With your imagination, you could see the Statue of Liberty do the conga!

Movie Connections:

Remake of The Rogues Tavern (1936)

Compact Little Mystery!

"The Black Raven", released by PRC is a surprisingly good low budget mystery running just under an hour.

The story takes place during a raging storm that has knocked out the local roads and bridge. A group of varied travellers are then forced to seek shelter in a small hotel run by the mysterious Amos Bradford (George Zucco). The first to arrive is an old nemesis Whitey Cole (I. Stanford Jolley) who has a score to settle with Bradford. Bradford and his oaf-ish assistant Andy (Glenn Strange) overpower him and tie him up but he manages to escape and remain in the shadows.

Shortly thereafter a gangster, Bardoni (Noel Madison) arrives on his way to Canada. Next a meek bank teller (Byron Foulger) who has embezzled $50,000 arrives followed by a young couple Lee Winfield (Wanda McKay) and Allen Bentley (Bob Randall) who are also running off to Canada to get married. Turns out Lee is the daughter of Bardoni's gangland boss (Robert Middlemass) who is the next to arrive looking for his daughter.

Naturally everyone takes an interest in the $50K. Then Winfield is murdered and the Sheriff (Charles Middleton) arrives on the scene. As in all such mysteries suspicion falls on each of the principals until the real murderer is unmasked in the final reel.

This compact little mystery is an entertaining little film noire. Director Sam Newfeld keeps the story moving and the audience guessing. The film is bolstered by its veteran "B" movie cast. Zucco, always under rated, was a staple of such films in the 40s and gives a excellent performance as Bradford. Glenn Strange is also good in a Lon Chaney Jr. type role as the simple-minded Andy. Foulger made a career out of playing meek little bank tellers. And Charles Middleton (Ming the Merciless in the Flash Gordon serials) gets to play a good guy for a change.

An entertaining hour.