If you purchase the DVD, it will say this film was produced in 1932. It's immediately obvious that this slick production was not that early a film. Produced in 1936 by Invincible, this murder-in-the-mansion mystery, in the Philo Vance mold, is very well staged. John Miljan, who would go on to a long career as a supporting actor, here has the lead as detective-mystery writer Bill Holt, aided by his befuddled ex-boxer sidekick James Burtis. There's three killings to solve and plenty of suspects. Irene Ware has the female lead, but is much too beautiful to be guilty. Holt's obvious interest in her testifies to her character. (Whatever happened to Irene Ware who had an all too brief career in the 30s anyhow?) The remaining characters all had motives. The pace is very procedural, as you won't form any real sympathy for the victims, but moves along nicely, much like a Perry Mason mystery. This is no house-bound production that takes place all in the mansion (what you might expect if it was a 1932 film), but moves about lively, and contains some nice unexpected action scenes. The plot is good, Miljan is very good, and Irene Ware is very beautiful. What more could you want?
Review of The Criminal Within
