Movie Review: The Case of the Lucky Legs

Della ministers to her employer.

Movie Review: The Case of the Lucky Legs (1935) directed by Archie Mayo Frank Patton (Craig Reynolds) has a pretty neat scam going. He poses as the representative of a major hosiery company who’s come to a small city to hold a “Lucky Legs” beauty contest. Patton gets local businessmen to front all the expenses for… Continue reading Movie Review: The Case of the Lucky Legs

Movie Review: The Dragon Murder Case

Mrs. Stamm tries to convince Leland and Vance of the existence of the dragon.

Movie Review: The Dragon Murder Case (1934) directed by H. Bruce Humberstone There’s a party at the Stamm estate tonight. Socialite Monty Montague (George Meeker) has become engaged to lovely Bernice Stamm (Margaret Lindsay) and it’s time to celebrate. However, tensions are high. Ichthyologist Rudolph Stamm (Robert Barratt), Bernice’s brother, has taken to drink, ignoring the… Continue reading Movie Review: The Dragon Murder Case

Movie Review: The Case of the Curious Bride

Perry can handle drinking coffee during an autopsy, but Spudsy has a weaker stomach.

Movie Review: The Case of the Curious Bride (1935) directed by Michael Curtiz Between movies, star defense attorney Perry Mason has successfully defended an alleged hatchet killer, humiliating the district attorney once again. He’s preparing for a victory feast, the crab dish of which he’ll cook himself, and then a Chinese vacation. At the restaurant, he’s… Continue reading Movie Review: The Case of the Curious Bride

Movie Review: The Bishop Murder Case

Philo Vance's breakfast is interrupted by--murder!

The Bishop Murder Case (1929) dir. David Burton A peaceful morning is broken when Professor Bertrand Dillard (Alec B. Francis) and his manservant Pyne (Sidney Bracey) look down into the house’s courtyard and see the corpse of family friend Robin, nicknamed “Cock Robin”, with an arrow in his chest. Professor Dillard immediately calls District Attorney Markham… Continue reading Movie Review: The Bishop Murder Case

Movie Review: The Case of the Howling Dog

Perry Mason reviews the evidence.

Movie Review: The Case of the Howling Dog (1934) directed by Alan Crosland Millionaire Arthur Cartwright (Gordon Westcott) is being put on edge by the howling of his equally rich neighbor Clinton Foley’s (Russell Hicks) dog Prince (Lightning). According to Cartwright, the dog’s been howling for the last forty-eight hours straight, an omen of death. Mr.… Continue reading Movie Review: The Case of the Howling Dog

Book Review: The Book of Cthulhu II

Book Review: The Book of Cthulhu II edited by Ross E. Lockhart It’s spooky stuff month again, so I sat down with this thick volume (24 stories) of tales inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft for a couple of weeks. This is a sequel to The Book of Cthulhu that I reviewed earlier on… Continue reading Book Review: The Book of Cthulhu II

Movie Review: Bullitt

Bullitt reacts to some disturbing information.

Movie Review: Bullitt (1968) directed by Peter Yates Johnny Ross (Pat Renella) has gotten into hot water with “The Organization”, an organized crime group, for skimming funds from their wire racket. Finding things too hot for him in Cnicago, Mr. Ross offers to testify for a Senate sub-committee in San Francisco under the aegis of District… Continue reading Movie Review: Bullitt

Movie Review: Dirty Harry

Harry shows off his large weapon.

Movie Review: Dirty Harry (1971) directed by Don Siegel Detective Inspector Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood) of the San Francisco Police Department is not a nice man. He hates everyone equally (or at least that’s what his coworkers say) and has trouble phrasing things politely. In an establishing moment early in the film, Callahan defuses a potential… Continue reading Movie Review: Dirty Harry

Movie Review: The Kennel Murder Case

One of these adorable dogs is about to die.

Movie Review: The Kennel Murder Case (1933) directed by Michael Curtiz With October over, let’s take a look at a non-horror film! Among amateur detective Philo Vance’s (William Powell) many interests is his Scottie terrier, Captain. He’s entered the purebred canine in the Long Island Kennel Club’s dog show. Captain fails to make it into the… Continue reading Movie Review: The Kennel Murder Case

Magazine Review: High Adventure #160: Ten Detective Aces Special

Magazine Review: High Adventure #160: Ten Detective Aces Special edited by John P. Gunnison Ten Detective Aces started publication in 1928 under the title The Dragnet Magazine and primarily featured gangster stories. Public interest in gangsters as a separate subgenre was fading, so in 1930 the magazine started featuring more general crime and detective stories under the title Detective-Dragnet Magazine, and in 1933 switched to Ten… Continue reading Magazine Review: High Adventure #160: Ten Detective Aces Special