How sad is this?

Don't Believe the Hype

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

The story begins with a rich guy (Charley Grapewin) announcing to several relatives that because no one has been able to locate his granddaughter, he's splitting his fortune up among them. Then, as if my queue, a man arrives with what he claims is the missing granddaughter. And, a bit later, another one arrives as well! Obviously at least one of them is fake and soon one of them is murdered.During the 1930s, there were a ton of movies pretty much like "One Frightened Night". You know, films where some folks are all stuck in a house and a murderer is running amok and the cops are complete boobs so it takes a smartie pants non-cop to solve the whole thing. Well, because it's so familiar, I found my brain going on vacation periodically during the film and paying attention and even caring about the characters was a chore.The best thing about this film are the brilliantly made opening credits. Thereafter, however, it's all downhill and the film is predictable and overly familiar. A time-passer and nothing more.

Regis Toomey forces shut a blown-open window. "Swell night for a murder," he laughs—it's the film's opening line. He returns to the dinner table and his fellow guests. Outside the rain and thunder and lightning continue. Rich old eccentric Charley Grapewin has invited a small handful of relatives and close associates to his lonely mansion for the night. He doesn't exactly love them all, but he needs to divide up his fortune and has decided to give them one million dollars each—insisting, all the while, that if only his granddaughter Doris could be found, she would receive the entire fortune herself. And what do you know? Soon a granddaughter shows up, complete with old family letters written by her long lost mother. Nonplussed by this development, the rest of the guests stick around for the night. The plot really takes off when—Another young woman shows up claiming to be the same granddaughter. Can a murder be far off?Charley Grapewin is the center of the action as the old man; his health is supposed to be bad but he's awfully feisty. Toomey is fine as the irreverent young man with a ready wit and plenty of nerve. The rest of the cast is colorful as well—Hedda Hopper is a greedy relative, Lucien Littlefield a shady doctor. Wallace Ford is fun as Luvalle: "a magician, a prestidigitator, now you see it, now you don't!" Rafaella Ottiano is not a familiar name to me, but her face is certainly familiar—she plays Elvira, the housekeeper with a dark look and an ear to every keyhole.The two Dorises are both good. Evalyn Knapp as the first is sweet, polite and refined, sooo charming to the old man…a little too charming? Mary Carlisle as Doris number two is a stage actress and a fast talker—a complete contrast. All of the characters gather together for a great moment right at the midpoint: Grapewin announces his conclusion that "it wasn't suicide, it was murder. And the person who killed her…is in this room!"—at which the camera pans slowly from one face to the next, all around the room. It sounds so clichéd, but boy, is it fun.This is a good one—short and sweet, cute and unpretentious. Funny moment: "The Great Luvalle…bah!"

Unlike today, back in film's golden age, there were always roles for older character actors. Charley Grapewin - even in uncredited parts, he was easily recognisable and when he had a featured part (as the amiable granddad in "The Night of June 13th" (1931), who decides to tell the people in the street some home truths) he was very memorable. Lucien Littlefield also made a career out of character parts (Cupido the barber in "Torrent" (1926) and "The Cat and the Canary" (1927)).In this film Grapewin has the lead role as Jasper, a crotchety head of a family, who are planning how to spend his money before he is dead. Jasper has a surprising announcement - he is going to give each of his relatives a $1 million before he dies!!! But if his granddaughter can be found, it all goes to her!!! Lucien Littlefield for once playing his right age, plays Dr. Denham.Before the night is over, Mr. Felix (Clarence Wilson) is knocking at the door with the long lost granddaughter (Evalyn Knapp) - or is she!!!Downstairs, trouble is brewing - everyone has a desperate need of the $1 million gift. Arthur Proctor (Arthur Hohl) has lost money in some business venture and his wife (Hedda Hopper) is worried he will do something foolish. Suddenly Doris Waverley 2 (beautiful Mary Carlisle, looking a treat) turns up, then the Great Luvalle (Wallace Ford), looking for her. Before Jasper can take Doris upstairs to have it out with her double, the first Doris is killed by fast acting poison.A belligerent policeman (Fred Kelsey, whose most memorable role was the house detective in the "Honeymoon Hotel" sequence in "Footlight Parade") is trying to interview people. Everyone is acting pretty innocent. Tom (Regis Toomey) the black sheep of the family is romancing Doris - or is he just after her inheritance, and the Great Luvalle is determined to find the real killer!!!It is a pretty good film - all the players have enough time to establish their characters. Rafaela Ottiano is particularly good as Elvira, the creepy maid.Very Recommended.

One of the best old house murder mysteries.I loved this and I can't wait to see it again. As the reviewer on IMDb says it confounds your expectations by allowing things and people to survive and for events to unfold differently then you thought... (Read The IMDb comments after you see the film since they give too much away) Basically this is about an old guy who was going to give his fortune away to friends and relatives because his grand daughter can't be found. His daughter and he broke years ago and he wants to reconcile with his closest living relative.Just as he's about to give the money away the lawyer shows up with his grand daughter... everyones gift is taken back and the natives get very restless...Complicating matter is the sudden arrival of the grand daughter to ... yes another girl claiming to be the grand daughter shows up with a stage magician in tow...Murder ensues and things get very tense and very silly as a masked man tries to kill again... I have no idea if its possible to really deduce who did it, but it doesn't matter it just great fun.Its wonderful and only 65 minutes long.This is a gem to treasure with only one false, very false romantic note, it like how the hell did that happen? It must have been a contractual thing.If you want to see a great mystery see this movie. I can not recommend it highly enough. If you find it in the bargain bin get it. This is worth every penny you'll pay for it.