Audio Asylum Thread Printer

1934 film starring William Powell as a retired police officer who has married Myrna Loy, a wealthy daughter of an heir. They live the life of luxory, not working, drinking and partying. They return home, where he was formerly a police detective.
An old inventor, played by Edward Ellis, has mysteriously taken a trip, to an unknown place. Prior to his departure, he learns his mistress, played by Natalie Moorhead, has stolen bonds. He confronts her, learns she has another guy, and storms out, threatening to call police.
Soon thereafter, the mistress turns up dead. The inventor is suspected. Powell is an old friend, and the inventor's daughter, played by Maureen O' Sullivan, winds up on his doorstep.
There really is not much of a plot. The film is billed as a whodunnit, and ends with the classic scene of all the potential killers seated at a dinner table, and all implicated at one time or another, until Powell reveals the killer. Trouble is, Powell has done precious little investigating, but seems to have the entire sordid affair worked out.
The film's appeal is Powell and Loy. They have palpable chemistry. Loy is merely in the film to work off Powell. They share great one liners, and while they are not Bogart and Bacall, they are worth watching again. Powell is very good. His former stage acting days are evident. His mannerisms are fun to watch. His shooting of balloons off a Christmas tree with a toy gun that appears to be a toy a company today would dare not produce is enjoyable. As is his ability to portray drunk without being over the edge. Sexual double entendres apparently made it past the censors, surprising given the era.
The film is more of a comedy/suspense that uses a whodunnit as a clothes line for a plot. The D.V.D. transfer is good, as is the mono-audio. But there is little in the way of special features, other than a cast/crew bio. Interesting film to grab a peak at the crime whodunnit type of film still in it's infancy.

Films/DVD Asylum

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