This is the 'talkie' remake (well, in fact, more of a spoof than a remake) of the famous silent mystery classic from 1927; this time we start directly on the evening the millionaire's will (who died 10 years ago, in this case) will be read to all the more or less greedy relatives. Again, the attorney (George Zucco, an 'old friend' from many a scary movie) notices at once that the safe has been opened, and again the strange housekeeper Miss Lu (Gale Sondergaard) receives the guests. This time, there IS electric light in the house - but it isn't too reliable...
And the last ones to arrive are actor Wally (Bob Hope) and beautiful artist Joyce (Paulette Goddard), our protagonists of course. The will is being read, and Joyce is the 'lucky one'; and again under the condition that she won't become insane - and what's more, that she won't die within a month... 'An invitation to murder', as one of her cousins remarks quite rightly...
Then the warden from the asylum comes and warns them about the escaped lunatic they call 'the Cat'; then the attorney disappears behind a moving bookshelf, Joyce is getting more and more nervous, and Wally's already shaking with fright - and so the 'horror' spoof goes on; only with the ending slightly altered to give Miss Lu a little more attention...
Of course, there's no comparison on ANY level to the original mystery masterpiece; this is clearly romance and comedy entertainment of the late 30s, with a few scary moments thrown in - of the fans of the CLASSIC kind of mystery, only those with a very good sense of humor will find it interesting; otherwise, the good acting and funny lines will be quite entertaining for friends of the 'lighter' side of old Hollywood.
And the last ones to arrive are actor Wally (Bob Hope) and beautiful artist Joyce (Paulette Goddard), our protagonists of course. The will is being read, and Joyce is the 'lucky one'; and again under the condition that she won't become insane - and what's more, that she won't die within a month... 'An invitation to murder', as one of her cousins remarks quite rightly...
Then the warden from the asylum comes and warns them about the escaped lunatic they call 'the Cat'; then the attorney disappears behind a moving bookshelf, Joyce is getting more and more nervous, and Wally's already shaking with fright - and so the 'horror' spoof goes on; only with the ending slightly altered to give Miss Lu a little more attention...
Of course, there's no comparison on ANY level to the original mystery masterpiece; this is clearly romance and comedy entertainment of the late 30s, with a few scary moments thrown in - of the fans of the CLASSIC kind of mystery, only those with a very good sense of humor will find it interesting; otherwise, the good acting and funny lines will be quite entertaining for friends of the 'lighter' side of old Hollywood.