The Mystery of Mr. X

1934
Passed
1h 24m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

A jewel thief suspected of being a local serial killer targeting police officers decides to solve the mystery himself to clear his name.A jewel thief suspected of being a local serial killer targeting police officers decides to solve the mystery himself to clear his name.A jewel thief suspected of being a local serial killer targeting police officers decides to solve the mystery himself to clear his name.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.9/10

514

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Photos17

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Top cast39

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Robert Montgomery

Nicholas 'Nick' Revel

Elizabeth Allan

Jane Frensham

Lewis Stone

Inspector Connor

Ralph Forbes

Sir Christopher Marche

Henry Stephenson

Sir Herbert Frensham

Forrester Harvey

Joseph Horatio Palmer

Ivan F. Simpson

Hutchinson
(as Ivan Simpson)

Leonard Mudie

Mr. X

Alec B. Francis

Judge Malpas

Charles Irwin

Willis

Robert Adair

Constable
(uncredited)

Norman Ainsley

Reporter
(uncredited)

Ted Billings

Barfly
(uncredited)

William A. Boardway

Courtroom Spectator
(uncredited)

Barlowe Borland

Waiter
(uncredited)

Alfred Cross

Reporter
(uncredited)

Captain Francis

Reporter
(uncredited)

Victor Gammon

Reporter
(uncredited)

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Preview audiences rejected the original ending, where "Nick" did not get "Jane". Retakes and additional scenes were ordered, but directed by Richard Boleslawski because director Edgar Selwyn was unavailable.

Goofs
When Robert Montgomery lists the crime scenes, he says that X always strikes in a deserted area of London. However, one of the crime scenes mentioned is Marble Arch, which is a very busy area in central London. Also, the first murder shown takes place on the bank of the Thames, but none of the crime scenes mentioned is anywhere near the river, and Gates End Lane, the scene of the last murder, is a fictitious street, although the other streets named are real.

Quotes
Jane Frensham: Do you know why I like you?
Nicholas 'Nick' Revel: No, Why?
Jane Frensham: Because you're so straight. I think you're the straightest man I've ever met.

Connections
Version of The Hour of 13 (1952)

User reviews19

Review

Featured review

8/10

Very Enjoyable Light Mystery

Some pictures I can watch again-and-again. This is one.

Set in London, it is a romantic, mystery thriller (with comedy elements). It is also a fascinating window on a world now seventy-five years removed. Its pace, plot, acting, and dialog are all excellent.

Robert Montgomery is most charming as a gentleman thief. Elizabeth Allan is exquisitely lovely as his romantic interest. She's somewhat reminiscent of Paula Prentice in looks and manner, and comes across as intelligent, vivacious, wholesome, natural, and honest. (Yum!) Also, Forrester Harvey, as Montgomery's Cockney cab driver stooge, does an excellent turn as comedy relief.

What really sets this movie apart from others, however, is the absolutely amazing chemistry and timing between Montgomery and Allan. I find it a joy to replay their scenes over-and-over to watch the many nuances that occur. It really is a great shame that they never again worked together.

Finally, the villain himself appears to be the evil twin (in dress and features) of the contemporary pulp-magazine hero "The Shadow." Could this just be a coincidence? Naa! I don't think so.