The Black Raven (1943)
Black Raven (1943) is a “B” film (affiliate link) from Producers Releasing Corporation (PRC). George Zucco plays Amos Bradford aka the Raven, the owner of the Black Raven Inn. Bradford ends up hosting several unexpected guests, who are escaping a raging thunderstorm. The storm washed out all the bridges and stranded the visitors, which include a couple trying to elope, her wealthy father, who has chased them down, an embezzler, a gangster and various other players.
George Zucco in a Fog Island still from the Public Domain
George Zucco played in a number of these films through out the 1940s. His distinctive speech made him a natural in playing urbane bad men, professors and other mystery men. He primarily appeared in mystery or horror films. According to Wikipedia, he appeared in over 96 films between 1931 and 1951, when he retired because of ill health.
Despite tawdry rumors, Zucco did not die in an insane asylum nor did his wife and daughter commit suicide. Zucco died at 74 from pneumonia. His wife died in 1999 at age 99. His daughter died of cancer at age 30.
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