There are better movies of two hours length. I loved the actress'performance.

If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

The joyful confection is coated in a sparkly gloss, bright enough to gleam from the darkest, most cynical corners.

I Killed That Man is a fairly typical Poverty Row mystery film. It tells the tale of a man on his way to execution on Death Row who is suddenly killed by a poison dart by an unknown assailant while in a crowded room. The remaining film details the investigation into who is responsible.To be honest there's nothing new here. It delivers what anyone familiar with Poverty Row productions will have come to expect, i.e. not too many thrills, not too many sets and not too many surprises. The film does pick up pace towards the end but it takes it's time getting there unfortunately. I've seen another obscure film from director Phil Rosen – Man With Two Lives – and that one was quite a bit more entertaining in my opinion. Having said that I have seen a lot worse than I Killed That Man, it's not exactly a bad watch for a rainy weekend morning.

What a difference a decade could make to a man's career. Back in 1931, Ricardo Cortez was a big name in Hollywood--starring in the first "Maltese Falcon" film as well as many other A-pictures. Now, in 1941, he is working for King Brothers Productions--a so-called 'poverty row' production company. And, he's starring in movies that are clearly low-budget B-films. It's a shame, as I always liked Cortez's easy-going acting style, though it's nice to see that despite the pedigree of this film, he did his usual competent job in the leading role.The film sure grabs your attention early! The film begins as a man is about to be executed for a murder he doesn't deny committing. However, just before he's to die, he starts to unload to the witnesses--telling them that he killed the man because it was a contract killing. And, since his employer did NOT step in to save him (like he'd promised), he wanted to betray his identity. But, at that moment, the convicted killer suddenly dies--victim of a poisonous dart! But who in the room did it?! The why is certainly not in question! Apart from Cortez, the cast is mostly made up of unknowns--some of which were less than stellar in their acting as well as how well these characters were written. In fact, the plot itself (aside from the dandy introduction) was all pretty standard fare for a 1930s-1940s B-murder mystery--nothing particularly inspired to set it apart from hundreds of other similar films. On the other hand, the film does fill a niche and is a decent example of the genre. For fans of this type of film, it's sure well worth seeing. But, if you aren't a B-mystery fan, you probably should look for a better one with which to start--such as Charlie Chan, Boston Blackie, the Crime Doctor or the Falcon.By the way, the prison doctor's description of curare was not correct. It does NOT kill instantly but paralyzes the body--causing the heart muscles to stop and the victim to die due to strangulation. If you know a person was injected with the drug, you COULD perform CPR and actually keep them alive until the substance works itself through the system (I learn the coolest things being married to a suspense author). I DON'T recommend you try this at home to see if I am correct, however!

On his way to receive a final toast - in the electric chair! - condemned Ralf Harold (as Nicholas Ross) pauses to let the assembled witnesses know he's going to give away the identity of a fellow criminal. But, just as he is about to reveal the crook's name, Mr. Harold is stricken by a deadly poison dart. District attorney Ricardo Cortez (as Roger Phillips) and attractive "Chronicle" reporter Joan Woodbury (as Geri Reynolds) sift through the suspects, banter romantically, and try to solve the murder. You've seen this kind of picture before, but the tired storyline in "I Killed That Man" is enlivened by its cast and crew.Director Phil Rosen and his star, Mr. Cortez, were silent screen veterans (they'd worked together) who found less success after the advent of talking motion pictures; but, their skills are clearly evident, as they make the most of this quickly produced, low-budget film. Today, Mr. Rosen is not well-remembered; but, he worked on some of the most important Hollywood films of the teens and twenties (many are lost). Cortez reached a popularity peak in 1926, after working on films with Greta Garbo and D.W. Griffith. The supporting cast does very well, and Ms. Woodbury is a thoroughly charming leading woman.****** I Killed That Man (11/28/41) Phil Rosen ~ Ricardo Cortez, Joan Woodbury, George Pembroke

This is a mystery with elements of comedy. It also has (minor) noir elements and a romantic touch.Ricardo Cortez is excellent in the lead. We begin as a man is about to be put to death in prison. The press and the law are there, as well as a few others who like to observe executions.Things do not go as planned. And Cortez tries to solve the mystery right on the spot. That doesn't work. His girlfriend, reporter Joan Woodbury, gets involved. Iris Adrian is, as always, effective as a moll.This sort of thing continued to be standard fare at Warner Brothers till the mid-forties. Interestingly, Monogram does it even better here. The list of players boasts only Cortez as a box-office name. But it's cast in a clever and entertaining manner and neatly directed by Phil Rosen.