One Body Too Many (1944)

On Thanksgiving Weekend 1944, Paramount Pictures released One Body Too Many, a comedy-mystery film starring Jack Haley. Haley famously played the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz (1939). The film also starred Jean Parker, Lyle Talbot, Douglas Fowley and Bela Lugosi in supporting roles.

One Body Too Many begins with millionaire Cyrus J. Rutherford’s heirs gathered to hear the reading of his will. Rutherford, an eccentric personality, will only allow his heirs to inherit his fortune if he is buried in a specific way. If the body is not buried in this specific way, the will is reversed and those receiving the list will receive the most inheritance. Fearing some of the heirs may try to steal the body to affect the distribution of funds, the executor sends for a detective.

Jack Haley plays insurance salesman Albert L. Tuttle. Unaware of his death, Albert is trying to sell Rutherford life insurance. Albert is initially mistaken for the detective and is led into the room with Rutherford’s body.

Albert decides to leave after realizing Mr. Rutherford is dead but stays to protect Carol Dunlap one of the heirs. Carol is played by Jean Parker.

Bela Lugosi’s image is often used to promote the film but his role was relatively small. Lugosi plays Merkil the butler, who spends most of the film saying, “Tea, sir?” Lugosi portrays Merkil in a way to make the viewer question what he is up to but his contribution to the film is minor.

The film (affiliate link) builds to the inevitable chase scene at the end. Who is trying to reverse the will?

One Body Too Many (1944) is a Paramount “B” film, so it runs a little longer than usual at 75 minutes.

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