Stellead Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful

Dorathen Better Late Then Never

Gutsycurene Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

Micah Lloyd Excellent characters with emotional depth. My wife, daughter and granddaughter all enjoyed it...and me, too! Very good movie! You won't be disappointed.

Michael_Elliott Midnight Shadow (1939) ** (out of 4) Margaret Wilson (Frances Redd) has a couple men wanting her affections but after her father shows off an oil well to them, he's murdered. Now the two men are suspects so the daughter hires a private detective to figure out who the killer is.MIDNIGHT SHADOW stands out because of its all black cast but sadly outside of this there's really nothing too special here. This film follows the "old dark house" theme that ran thought hundreds of films from this period but the majority of the horror elements are watered down in favor of the detective story, which is obviously watered down even more by the attempt at laughter. As with many films, this one goes for laughs as the detective and his assistant share insults and comic falls but this doesn't really work.I was surprised to see how good the majority of the lead performances were. This includes Redd who was quite believable in the role of the daughter. There are some weak performances to be found in smaller parts but nothing too damaging to the film. I also thought the actual mystery was well-done and at least keeps you guessing a little. MIDNIGHT SHADOW is a fair thriller that will mainly appeal to those wanting to see an example of an all black cast.

Red-Barracuda A mysterious showman/charlatan arrives at a small town and immediately starts courting a girl whose father owns a valuable deed for land in an oil field. The father is murdered in the night by an unknown assassin and two bungling detectives get on the trail of the murderer.Midnight Shadow is entirely negligible as a mystery film. It's not very involving and it displays the usual deficiencies that these old poverty row films tend to like an abundance of stupid and unnecessary comedy relief. While its resolution was particularly poor and abrupt (it didn't really explain very clearly why the guilty party was actually guilty). The acting is also below par, even for these types of movies, with at least one actor appearing to be reading his lines off cue cards. However, this movie is best appreciated for reasons beyond all of the above. It's interesting as one of the films of the 30's made specifically for the black movie theatres. Hence the all-black cast. It also explains the strange opening text that tells audiences of lands in the American Deep South that are self-governed entirely by and for black people! This of course goes some way to explaining to audiences why everybody is black, including law enforcers, lawyers and detectives. Naturally, this is completely historically inaccurate! But what the hey – it's the movies, right?Overall, this is not a good film but it's quite interesting historically and it has a very short running time so its deficiencies aren't really that painful to bear.

Chase_Witherspoon Comedy mystery with an all-black cast (not pertaining to rugby), with the daughter of a wealthy landowner (Redd) being wooed by the charismatic but suspicious circus mentalist and apparent sub-continent royal heir (Criner), before her father is murdered and deeds to an oil-rich plot of land stolen during the night. Two bumbling detectives join forces with the police to catch the killer whom they believe will attempt to cash-in the stolen land deed, employing their unique brand of detective skills to solve the mystery and claim the kudos.Swiftly told tale suffers for its amateurish acting (many times do the cast appear to lose character and look off-stage for direction), but also a curiously erratic narrative that never settles whether it's comedy or mystery. Perhaps it's both, and if so, it's a period piece in which the only recognisable face (to me) was Ruby Daindridge in a minor supporting role playing the mother of a bookish novice detective (Bates) who looks and behaves like the Chris Rock of his era.Classified as a "race" film, it might be worth seeking if you're a film historian, but there's little else to recommend it to mainstream audiences, with a poorly conceived plot, some truly abominable acting and at times, painfully laboured dialogue.

msladysoul The only thing that keeps this movie watchable is the handsome Edward Brandon who played Buster Barnett. Edward Brandon isn't the star of this movie or anything, his scenes are few but steals every scene he's in and basically steals the movie. Edward was a fine actor, he only appeared in one other film "Harlem on the Prairie" and that seems to be lost. I'm surprised nothing came of Edward Brandon, I've seen a lot of Black actors and a lot of "black cast films" but Edward stands out, I haven't seen many have such a strong screen presence and talent. I wish he could of did more films. Edward plays Buster, a soft, push-around kind of man, who's girl is leaving him for manly Prince, Buster spies on them and then becomes a suspect in the murder of his girlfriend's father. The scene that Edward Brandon steals the movie is when the Detective drills him, Buster breaks down and pleads for his life, you've never seen much great acting and emotion in a black cast film, and you never seen men have as much emotion in Hollywood. Edward becomes a stronger man by the end of the film. Edward Brandon to me is a very fine actor, his emotions, gestures, good timing, becoming his character full fledged, knowing the right mood makes him exceptionally the best. He did more in his few scenes than the stars. I'm surprised no one discovered him or made him more of a bigger star. It's obvious he learned acting from somewhere but Black Cinema was so few and between for black actors especially but I am grateful for what he did do. Would love to know more about this actor. If it wasn't for Hollywood's ignorance and the world's, Edward could of been a big success in Hollywood, he could of been up there with one of the greatest actors and one of the most handsome. Why not? But, if your not homely and uncle tomish you can't succeed in Hollywood in those days. I haven't seen an Hollywood film yet that an actor showed such emotion and moved me, and make my jaw-drop like Edward. Did I mention Edward Brandon was handsome and a melting heart smile? Frances Redd is pretty and graceful. Buck Woods and Richard Bates are good as a comedy team. Jess Lee Brooks is great as always as Detective Ramsey. Ollie Ann Robinson and Clinton Rosemond are good as the parents. George Randol wrote and directed this movie, he was a pioneer in Black Cinema involved with some great movies. I admit there should of been some nightclub scene or music, Black Cinema never goes wrong there. It took me a few times to watch this movie, now that I understand it more I like it. Most Black Cinema movies didn't have a lot to work with but they did good with the little they had. This isn't the best but watchable if you want to see unsung talents.