Review of The Black Raven

Dear reader, do you like the _mefistofelic Zucco? A once known character actor, he had nonetheless some leading roles; a few. And the intelligent, phlegmatic guy from BLACK RAVEN suits daddy Zucco just well. A nice lead in a short, rapid flick, in a very humble and unassuming class of mystery flicks. They ask average competence (and no budget) to make for average fun. At least they sometimes had the decency to secure a notable lead—a Karloff, a Lugosi or at least a Zucco or other 'B' glory. Such flicks are no cinema—just like a newspaper isn't literature; it's stuff to be consumed. It's useless to rate them; they're just their class. For something smarter, check elsewhere.

BLACK RAVEN is a short flick about a tempestuous evening near the Canadian border. Zucco plays the owner of the place where all the characters gather and a plot is dressed up. This mystery movie has nothing even remotely original or memorable—just a short story shortly told. You know I have found a kind word for other flicks of this class—in previous comments—and I'll oblige this time too, basically repeating my recommendation—if rightly assessed, BLACK RAVEN offers what's expected from this genre. Not to be preferred to anything else.

But if you were expecting in any way something better, or classier, then, my lad, get the freak out of here!