A man poisons his nephew out of desperation for money.A man poisons his nephew out of desperation for money.A man poisons his nephew out of desperation for money.
- Awards
- 1 win
Crauford Kent
- Broker
- (uncredited)
C. Montague Shaw
- Mr. Edwards
- (uncredited)
Carl Stockdale
- Jailer
- (uncredited)
Harry Stubbs
- Mr. Evans
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe play opened on Broadway in New York City, New York on 30 September 1931 at the Lyceum Theater, 149 W. 45th St. and ran for 70 performances. Charles Laughton originated the role of William Marble. Also in the cast were Elsa Lanchester and Lionel Pape. Originally produced in the "pre-code" era, five dialogue cuts to remove suggestive remarks were made for the picture's 1939 re-release. Some censors eliminated references to cyanide before allowing the showing of the movie. Turner Classic Movies airs the original uncensored version, which has been preserved by the George Eastman House in Rochester, New York.
- GoofsIn the final scene, a boom-mike shadow catches William Marble's last words and then pulls up and out of the shot.
- Quotes
Marguerite Collins: Here I am, tied to a little shop. Ah well. We must try to smile, eh? But it is lonely. My husband is in a hospital in France. The war.
William Marble: Where was he wounded?
Marguerite Collins: Ohhh...
[shakes head]
Marguerite Collins: . That I cannot tell you. Oh, it is terrible!
Featured review
This is Laughton's Movie, Pure and Simple!
Make no mistake, this one belongs to Charles Laughton. Bringing this role from the stage, his movements and facial expressions are over exaggerated and hammy by later standards. But he was a monumental talent.
The movie is a taut, well constructed murder mystery, with Laughton as a man who almost gets away with murder and an illicit affair. Almost. His wife (Dorothy Peterson, no mean actress in her own right) discovers both, and extracts her revenge in a marvelously twisted plot device, which almost, but not quite, pushes the boundaries of believability.
Veree Teasdale as the paramour who turns to blackmail is fine.
An early appearance by Ray Milland (billed as Raymond Milland) is credible, as the rich Australian nephew, who shows up at the wrong time (for him).
Have a watch.
The movie is a taut, well constructed murder mystery, with Laughton as a man who almost gets away with murder and an illicit affair. Almost. His wife (Dorothy Peterson, no mean actress in her own right) discovers both, and extracts her revenge in a marvelously twisted plot device, which almost, but not quite, pushes the boundaries of believability.
Veree Teasdale as the paramour who turns to blackmail is fine.
An early appearance by Ray Milland (billed as Raymond Milland) is credible, as the rich Australian nephew, who shows up at the wrong time (for him).
Have a watch.
helpful•101
- jpickerel
- Nov 23, 2008
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $197,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 21 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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