Wednesday, June 10, 2020

The Man Outside (1933)

A highly enjoyable country house whodunnit. A few years before some diamonds go missing after a robbery, then we switch to the home Captain Fordyce (Cyril Raymond) has recently - and unexpectedly - inherited from his uncle. His friend Harry (Henry Kendall) turns up to visit and finds out there have been some strange goings on lately. The maid Ann (Gillian Hind) says there is a mystery man hanging around...

Then the driver is found dead on the driveway. Inspector Jukes (John Turnbull) begins a slow and laboured investigation. Harry meanwhile finds out Fordyce's uncle was involved in crime, and diamonds from a robbery and hidden in the house. Harry finds the diamonds and then the lights go out...

A simple but superb film. The cast consists of the usual stereotypes of this genre including Auntie Georgina (Ethel Warwick) who plays a wonderfully snooty old dame. The identity of the murderer is an enjoyable twist.