Combat Sports Historian and Martial Artist
Legacy posts about films from the silent and classic Hollywood film eras.
On December 5, 1932, K.B.S. Productions released a Hollywood murder mystery (affiliate link) starring three members of the Dracula (1931) film for Universal Studios. David Manners, Bela Lugosi and Edward Van Sloan all played prominent roles in The Death Kiss (1932). Myles Brent is a leading man acting in a scene where his character will be killed. A woman walks
The first Mr. Moto film starring Peter Lorre as Japanese jujitsu expert Kentaro Moto sees Mr. Moto tracking down a smuggling ring leader. Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation released Think Fast, Mr. Moto (1937) on July 27, 1937. Peter Lorre would play Mr. Moto seven more times for Twentieth Century – Fox. Mr. Moto disguises himself as a peddler and
The Penguin Pool Murder (1932) is the first of three films starring Edna May Oliver as Hildegard Withers, a school teacher, and James Gleason as Police Inspector Oscar Piper. Hildegard Withers was a character created by Stuart Palmer. Withers uses her above average intelligence and observation skills to assist Inspector Piper. The film begins in the office of stock broker
Laura (1944) is the story of an ambitious young woman pulled into the middle of a murder investigation by both amorous suitors and jealous women. Laura Hunt, portrayed by Gene Tierney, is an advertising executive about to marry a shiftless seducer, Shelby Carpenter, portrayed by Vincent Price. To complicate matters, her aunt Anne Treadwell is in love with the seducer
On March 21, 1941, United Artists released the third Topper film (affiliate link), Topper Returns (1941). Roland Young plays Cosmo Topper, a middle aged businessman with the unique gift of seeing ghosts stuck in this world. This film is set in a large country home. The film begins with Gail Richards, played by Joan Blondell, and Ann Carrington, played by
Murder by the Clock (1931) was a YouTube recommendation I watched over my recent vacation. The film starts pretty slowly but was interesting by the end. Murder by the Clock only runs 75 minutes, so it easily watched in one sitting. The film tells the story of the widow Mrs. Endicott, who knows her life is coming to an end,
On November 18, 1941, Columbia Pictures released Ellery Queen and the Murder Ring (1941). In this film, Ralph Bellamy portrays Ellery Queen for the fourth and final time. The film opens with a wealthy widow, Mrs. Augusta Stack, seeking the help of the police department. Mrs. Stack suspects Dr. Jannery, who operates her hospital, of negligence in the death of
On November 30, 1940, Columbia Pictures released the first of seven Ellery Queen films starring Ralph Bellamy as Ellery Queen. Ellery is the son of Inspector Queen, the Chief of New York Detectives. Ellery is a novelist, who also assists his father with solving crimes. In Ellery Queen, Master Detective (1940), a health guru has committed suicide but Ellery Queen
RKO Pictures brought the Dick Tracy comic strip character to the big screen on December 1, 1945. While the film is definitely a “B” film meant to be first on the double bill, it still would have been of interest to the many fans of the popular comic strip. Chester Gould created the strip in October 1931 for the Detroit
On May 17, 1941, Twentieth Century – Fox released the third and last Inspector Hornleigh feature film, Inspector Hornleigh Goes to It. The series blends comedy and crime drama to create a unique product. Gordon Harker plays Inspector Hornleigh, while Alistair Sims reprises his role as Sgt. Bingham. The film (affiliate link) opens with Inspector Hornleigh dictating his memoirs to