Redwarmin This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place

Cleveronix A different way of telling a story

Merolliv I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

Matylda Swan It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

Michael_Elliott The Rogues' Tavern (1936) ** 1/2 (out of 4) Another film in the long line of "old dark house" or "murder-mysteries" as Jimmy (Wallace Ford) and his fiancé Marjorie (Barbara Pepper) show up at an old hotel to get married but there's no Justice of the Peace. Instead they find a dead body and a bunch of suspects and soon the threat of more deaths is hanging over everyone so Jimmy must try to solve the case.THE ROGUES' TAVERN isn't the greatest movie ever made but it's certainly interesting enough to keep you entertained throughout its 69 minute running time. If you're familiar with these types of films then you already know that it seems there were at least a hundred of them released throughout the 1930s. Everything from killer gorillas to killer madmen to wack job women were suspects and each one always featured various objects that kept them all familiar. It could be trapped doors, the whole thunder spells and usually there was a man and woman team solving them.This film at least has a pretty good cast including Ford. He worked in a various of film genres but he makes for a good lead her as he's quite charming and manages to hold your attention. Pepper, Joan Woodbury and Clara Kimball Young are also good in their roles. The direction here isn't anything overly special but at the film moves at a nice pace and there aren't any major issues. The ending is quite nice, although I must admit that the shot of the possible victims faces before and after the killer is identified was quite funny.

mark.waltz First of all, this seems like a film from 1930, not 1936. It is creakier than the floors of those abandoned houses in the country I used to explore as a kid. It also has a plot that had been done better even in the creakiest of silents and with much better scripts. Even the Tod Slaughter grand guignole melodramas of the British cinema were far more interesting than this. The cast isn't bad, but the material they are given is preposterous. Joan Woodbury is interesting as a card reader, while Barbara Pepper (best known as Mrs. Ziffel on "Green Acres") comes off alright, although at times the changes in photographic angles makes her look like a different character. Poor Clara Kimball Young has probably one of the hammiest moments in films like this; She went all of a sudden from subtlety to acting that reminded me of Dwight Frye in "Dracula". There are more red herrings in this film than any other that aren't even remotely intelligent. The appearance of the inventor in the spooky glasses at the end is one of them that just comes out of left field. Remember Truman Capote's tirade in "Murder By Death" about the characteristics of the famous mystery writer's books that he hated? Well, they are all here. In the film's credit, there are some great angles here and there of the camera looking down on the characters showing their horror of their impending fate, but it's not enough to hide the ridiculousness of the methods the killer uses and its revelation. For the actual killer to utilize the method of killing used, it would take a great deal more strength than that person has. Otherwise, it's more of a Shari Lewis puppet show. You'll see what I mean if you watch this film, which is fortunately short enough to get through. Stick with "The Old Dark House" and a few others (like "The Cat and the Canary", and even PRC's "Fog Island") which are much more interesting than this.

Michael O'Keefe Robert F. Hill directs this poor man's Thin Man flick. A humorous little mystery that leaves a little more to be desired. Jimmy Flavin(Wallace Ford),a small-time detective, and his fiancé Marjorie(Barbara Pepper)arrive at a hostelry searching for a Justice of the Peace. The inn run by wheelchair-bound John Elliot is home to a jewelry ring and also the site of homicides. Visitors are found one by one with crushed throats and bite marks. Flavin decides to investigate the murders himself while waiting to recite nuptials. Well placed humor dots the criminal content. The cast of players include: Joan Woodbury, Arthur Loft, Clara Kimball Young and Jack Mulhall.

kidboots From the start Wallace Ford was a great character actor. He was not just another cardboard leading man but bought another dimension to his roles, as the narrow minded boyfriend Joan Crawford leaves behind in "Possessed" (1931) and a brash young policeman, seduced to do wrong by a luscious Jean Harlow in "The Beast of the City" (1932). In "Freaks" (1932) he seemed to have a real sympathy for his co-stars - it really came across in the movie. By the mid 30s he was finding character work in mystery/ horror movies.After a flashy early role as the femme fatale Sally in "Our Daily Bread" (1934), Barbara Pepper didn't take advantage of her chance at stardom and was to alternate between uncredited parts in As and leads and supports in poverty rowers.Jimmy Kelly (Wallace Ford) is a private detective and wants to marry Marjorie Burns. Barbara Pepper looks so much like a young Lucille Ball. Apparently they were great friends. Jimmy and Marjorie are sent to gloomy Red Rock Tarvern, where a Justice of the Peace happens to be. Clara Kimball Young, who was a great star of the early silents, gets a part she can really sink her teeth into here, as Mrs. Jamison, the strange manager of the tavern. They arrive in the middle of a murder. Someone has mysteriously sent telegrams to the guests telling them to meet there but no-one seems to know who sent them!!! A wild police dog has savaged one of the guests and he has died. By the time the guests are in their rooms the wild dog has struck again. Jimmy tries to telephone the coroner but discovers the wires have been cut. The dog (is it Rin Tin Tin!!! - no it's Silver Wolf!!!) almost strikes again with Marjorie the intended victim but Jimmy is convinced a human is responsible and finds the dog and befriends it.It is a diverting film about jewel smugglers, an elderly man who is supposed to be in a wheelchair but isn't and a mad inventor. Very "old dark house" just not as good!!!Recommended.