Tangled Destinies (1932)

Tangled Destinies (1932) is an example of an early “B” film, the film shown first on a double bill. However, this film (affiliate link) holds up well despite being released during the early transition to sound films. Frank R. Strayer directed the film for Mayfair Pictures Corporation. Strayer was a better than average “B” film director. He also directed another well done “B” picture, The Vampire Bat (1933).

In this film, Captain Randall “Randy” Gordon is forced by hurricane force winds to land three hundred miles outside of Los Angeles. His crew and passengers take refuge in an abandoned mansion by the field they landed on. The house is well-maintained and even has some can goods in the basement. However, Gordon and the passengers are in for several unexpected events.

One of the passengers is carrying diamonds back to Los Angeles. Someone clubs the man and takes the diamonds. The search for the diamonds leads to several plot twists before the murderer among them is found.

This film was better than many “B” films for several reasons. The first is Frank Strayer, who took more care in the directing of the “B” films he was assigned. He was rewarded by being assigned as the most frequent director of the popular Blondie series.

Ethel Wales portrayal of Prudence Daggot, one of the protagonists of the film, also adds to the quality of this production. Miss Daggot, referred to as “Granny”, does not miss a trick. Her observations lead to the resolution of several mysteries. She is also critical to the final solution of the theft and murder at the end of the film.

Another unusual character is Mr. Ling, played by James B. Leong. In early cinema, the white characters in a film did not treat any other ethnic group very well. Asians and black actors generally fared the worst in these characterizations. However, James B. Leong brings a sense of dignity to Mr. Ling. The other guests generally respect Mr. Ling, a rarity in films in the 1930s.

You also have the dark house itself. A big creepy dark house has been a plot device used in mystery and horror films over the years. In this film, the house is generally lit except when the fuses blow out because of the storm or the thief. The thief needs the darkness to commit his criminal acts.

Finally, the film is just the right length for the story at 56 minutes. The film moves at a good but understandable pace. It is not like some “B” films, which are so choppily edited that major portions of the story are left out or unexplained. It also does not have useless filler to get to a certain film length.

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