Review of The House of a Thousand Candles

There's a spy ring going on in this high-class casino that leads to murder, robbery and glamorous intrigue. Phillip Holmes ("An American Tragedy") and Mae Clarke (Cagney's "grapefruit" girl) are the young lovers who hold "the future of Europe" in their hands as they come across the ring strictly by accident. Irving Pichel ("Dracula's Daughter") is a memorable villain with a large supporting cast including Rosita Moreno (an obvious take on Mata Hari), Mischa Auer and Hedwiga Reicher (as a spooky housekeeper). Pleasant to look at with its art deco sets (pretty impressive for a Republic film!) and fast moving, it's all over in less than an hour.