Is there such a thing as justifiable murder? You can argue the point with Lionel Barrymore in Guilty Hands, a "cozy" mystery about a murder committed when a group of friends is gathered together in a cabin. Lionel's beautiful daughter, Madge Evans, is set to marry a much older man, Alan Mowbray, against his wishes. Alan is a cad, having an affair with Kay Francis on the side with no intention of breaking it off as a married man. Madge's younger suitor, William Bakewell is also at the lodge, as well as Lionel's pal C. Aubrey Smith. Someone turns up dead in the middle of the night - but who, and why?
This movie is very much an "early talkie" with pauses between lines and melodramatic acting from the background characters. Lionel, of course, is his usual professional self and adds class and quality to the otherwise rinky-dink film. It's still a melodrama, though. Don't expect another A Free Soul. He tugs on his ear when he's thinking, arches his eyebrows, and speaks in his classic crotchety voice. But with everyone else acting like they're in a "I can't pay the rent" stage play, he fits right in.
This movie is very much an "early talkie" with pauses between lines and melodramatic acting from the background characters. Lionel, of course, is his usual professional self and adds class and quality to the otherwise rinky-dink film. It's still a melodrama, though. Don't expect another A Free Soul. He tugs on his ear when he's thinking, arches his eyebrows, and speaks in his classic crotchety voice. But with everyone else acting like they're in a "I can't pay the rent" stage play, he fits right in.