Moonstone / Murder at Midnight

Well, any resemblance between this story and Wilkie Collins novel is a bit of a stretch but, all in all, it's not all that bad. It's a little creaky with age but aren't we all?

This Disc has two winners on it.

The Moonstone is one of Mascot Studios attempts to adapt great works of literature for the screen. Its the same drive that brought the horrible Jane Eyre with Colin Clive into existance. However, unlike that terrible film this one is an excellent, if somewhat creaky mystery, that is hampered by a brief, 45 minutes, running time. The problem is that by the time the stage is set, the characters introduced and the crime occurs we are left with almost no time to solve the mystery and so are sent racing to the end. Its a bit disappointing. Thankfully there is another movie to go.

Murder at Midnight is a super little film about a murder that happens during a party.What was at first was thought to be real turns out to be fake...then again perhaps not as one guest is most certainly dead. While not possessing anything that makes it stand out from the rest of the old dark house mystery crowd, other than quality, this film is a grand viewing experience as suspects and detectives go through their paces. Definitely recommended, especially when linked with The Moonstone.

Both films offered here are "verry verry British" and will keep you entertained as only these early 1930's whodunnits can do.
"The Moonstone" has top billing but "Murder at Midnight" is my favorite of the two. Both movies are starting to show their age in video and audio quality, but just turn up the volume a bit and sit back and enjoy.
Alpha Video's artwork on the DVD box is wonderful as usual.