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DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE MORGANS? (2009)

Today's neglected film is from 1935. It has never aired on TCM. This Republic Pictures entry is one of the earliest adaptations of an Ellery Queen mystery. The Spanish Cape Mystery was the ninth book in the EQ series. It was published in April 1935, and the film hit theaters in October of the same year…a very quick transfer from novel to screen. Donald Cook is cast as the well-known mystery writer. He is a refined upperclass gent who resides in a comfortable penthouse apartment and spends his leisure time at a nearby men’s club. The story begins when he receives a call from his police inspector father (Guy Usher) who needs help pinning the theft of a valuable Queen Anne necklace on a suave criminal (Jack LaRue). Of course it doesn’t take long before a confession is coaxed out of the suspect with a bit of sophisticated trickery. After the case is solved, it’s time to catch a plane to the Spanish Cape where young Queen will vacation with a friend (Berton Churchill) of the family. The cape is where a glamorous woman (Helen Twelvetrees) lives. She is the daughter of a wealthy man whose estate is overrun with fortune hunters and other parasites. Miss Twelvetrees is being pushed into marriage by her mother, but she has no intention of settling down just yet. During a party, she takes a walk on a terrace with her uncle. This leads to a surprise encounter with a gunman who mistakes the uncle for one of the other guests. During the encounter Twelvetrees tries to remain calm and collected. Twelvetrees is taken to a nearby cottage, where she’s held hostage while the gunman disappears with her uncle. It happens to be the same place that Ellery Queen and his pal are renting. The next morning, they discover Twelvetrees and untie her. As she is freed and properly makes Queen’s acquaintance, a strong bond develops between them. It is obvious they will get to know each other better. The next part of the film involves the couple trying to figure out where her uncle has been taken, and who’s responsible. Soon another strange event occurs, when a different guest, the one that the uncle has been mistaken for, ends up dead. The murder victim is wearing a cape, stooped over at an oceanside pavilion. In the book, the victim is nude under the cape, but there’s no mention of nudity in the film, since the production code is in full force. It is learned the victim blackmailed many guests staying at the estate, so nearly all of them have a motive for murder. So much for Ellery Queen’s vacation; the locals are putting on a crime wave for his benefit, and he’s right in his element. This is a highly engaging motion picture with excellent pacing. The mystery is not too taxing or contrived, and there are plenty of twists and turns that keep things moving along nicely. Cook and Twelvetrees are well-matched. Miss Twelvetrees in particular captivates us with her considerable style. Her trademark melancholy eyes underscore the tragedy of murder.

two thousand five hundred sixty-ninth category Relative in prison INVISIBLE STRIPES (1939) — William Holden’s brother (George Raft) just finished serving a sentence. ALWAYS IN MY HEART (1942) — Kay Francis’ estranged husband (Walter Huston) has returned home on parole.

THE BUCCANEER (1938) Next: Casey Adams, Judy Dann & Richard Widmark

Rouben Mamouian & Tyrone Power Next: THE LIVING GHOST (1942) and LEAVE IT TO THE IRISH (1944)

ROMEO AND JULIET (1968) Next: lots of scenes involving surveillance

DEEP WATERS (1948)

NORA PRENTISS (1947)

THE WOMEN (2008)

GONE WITH THE WIND (1939)

THE PURPLE MASK (1955)

BOTANY BAY (1953)

PLEASE DON'T EAT THE DAISIES (1960)

ONE POTATO TWO POTATO (1964)

THE SCARF (1951)

Inescort, Frieda

MONTANA BELLE (1952)

CATTLE DRIVE (1951)

EVERY GIRL SHOULD BE MARRIED (1948) Next: Leaf/Leaves

Jenkins, Mary -- played by Marla Gibbs on TV's 227

Herbert Lom Next: THE NORTH AVENUE IRREGULARS (1979)

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER (1942) Next: lots of wild animals

THE SIN OF NORA MORAN (1932)

YES SIR THAT'S MY BABY (1949)

I LOVE YOU AGAIN (1940)