Murder By The Clock

1931, Movie, NR, 75 mins

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A real thriller, one of the earliest talkie horror movies, which is recalled with many a fond shudder by anyone who saw it. There are several killings in and around the estate of a wealthy family that has a mausoleum on the premises. Inside the crypt, there is a horn that can be sounded eerily if anyone has been placed inside by mistake. Further, the mausoleum can be opened from the inside. An old lady is murdered, then the murderer is apparently killed himself, but he is actually revived just short of his demise. Suddenly, he meets his own killer and sees the old lady whom he thought he killed alive, and that causes his heart to stop, this time for keeps. Frederici is the mysterious woman who haunts the proceedings; Pichel is a huge half-wit who cackles and screams as a maniacal killer. Boyd is the police officer on the case, trying to uncover the truth and nail Tashman, who has been indirectly responsible for some of the deaths and is marked for her own death. She is excellent as she camps her way through a role that could have been a bore. Boyd falls for Tashman, then realizes that she is the femme fatale and that he has to turn her over to Toomey, another cop on the case. Lots of cobwebs, doors leading nowhere, sounds in the night, and ham acting by a number of the participants all contribute to make this film a terrifying experience with more goose bumps than a handful of HALLOWEENs. leave a comment
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Murder By The Clock
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