Mystery: November 2004 Archives

Director: Roland D. Reed
Original Release: 1936
Audio: Mono
Video: 320x240 B&W WMV
File Size: 365MB
Barry Wilding inherits The Hawk's Nest, a large estate just outside of London, on the condition he never sell it. Upon arriving at his new estate for the first time, he's removed by occupants who took up residence during its abandoned state. Julie, a woman he briefly encounters early in the movie reappears, informing him he must allow her father to continue his work in The Hawk's Nest for at least another six months. Barry makes continued attempts to crack the riddle that is his new home, repeatedly failing as the story further twists until the dramatic conclusion.

Director: Arthur Dreifuss
Original Release: 1941
Audio: Mono
Video: 320x240 B&W WMV
File Size: 357MB
While the main plot of this movie surrounds Pa Wilkins attempts to clean up the Harlem Better Business Bureau, there are so many underlying subplots that things start to get a little confusing. Intertwining love interests, corrupt acquaintances, and the potential for murder seem like a great recipe for an entertaining story. Ultimately this movie is a historic touchstone relative to the cultural evolution of the United States. For many of the actors in this movie, this was their last film Not because they weren't talented, but because the culture naively wasn't ready to accept them.

Director: Phil Rosen
Original Release: 1940
Audio: Mono
Video: 320x240 B&W WMV
File Size: 307MB

When an archeologist is murdered shortly after returning from an expedition, Mr. Wong is on the case to track down the killer. Part of the series of movies based on Collier's James Lee Wong character. Unlike most of the series, where Mr. Wong is played by Boris Karloff, this movie is a significant moment in Hollywood history as being the first movie with a lead Chinese role actually played by someone born in China. Keye Luke, who was born in Guangzhou, China, stars as Mr. Wong, later playing Charlie Chan's Number 1 Son, and starring in many movies and voice numerous cartoon characters for popular TV series like Thundar the Barbarian and Spider Man and his Amazing Friends.

Director: William Beaudine
Original Release: 1942
Audio: Mono
Video: 320x240 B&W WMV
File Size: 401MB
A prowler is attacking under cover of darkness. No one knows who or what it might be. As the search for the deadly killer is underway, the plot thickens and delivers some laughs along the way. This is B-grade Hollywood at its finest. Sidney Blackmer, who stars as Thatcher Colt in this movie, goes on to appear in Rosemary's Baby. Byron Foulger, who plays Everett Digberry, becomes a series regular on Petticoat Junction.

Director: William Nigh
Original Release: 1934
Audio: Mono
Video: 320x240 B&W WMV
File Size: 288MB

Bela Lugosi plays Mr. Wong, a man obsessed with acquiring the 12 gold coins of Confucius, which will give him power over a Chinese province. Crack reporter Jason Barton is investigating a series of murders in Chinatown and finds himself captured by Mr. Wong when he gets to close to the story. This is far from the typical Lugosi role, but still captures his skill as an actor surrounded by clever dialog in a story that's meant to entertain.