A murder victim's soul never resets until the murderer joins it, says the rather odd Iris Clive, a character who appears out of nowhere when wealthy spinster Vera Lewis suddenly dies, possibly a victim of foul play, and possibly through fright. She's attached to a mysterious black cat, who while not Gale Sondergaard in human form, seems to come to life through the mysterious Clive. The greedy family surrounding the wealthy old lady are all the typical archetypes, some seemingly noble yet secretly sinister, others obviously there with ulterior motives who are obvious red herrings. One by one, some of the suspects get bumped off too, and each time, the all knowing cat is there to provide a mystery to its purpose.
Giving a hint of the style of Val Lewis who was known for his visits to the dark places of the mind that were far more detailed than the standard Gothic horror. This isn't as spooky, but it is clever, filled with shadows and metaphors and ingenious ways of dramatizing its story. Lois Collier plays the fragile heroine, with Jonathan Hale (Dagwood's boss) as her father. Rose Hobart provides the spookiest performance as Lewis's companion who is petrified of cats, and Douglas Dumbrille is the most seemingly nefarious. But among this group, any of them could be guilty, and only the creeping cat knows for sure...until the end.
Giving a hint of the style of Val Lewis who was known for his visits to the dark places of the mind that were far more detailed than the standard Gothic horror. This isn't as spooky, but it is clever, filled with shadows and metaphors and ingenious ways of dramatizing its story. Lois Collier plays the fragile heroine, with Jonathan Hale (Dagwood's boss) as her father. Rose Hobart provides the spookiest performance as Lewis's companion who is petrified of cats, and Douglas Dumbrille is the most seemingly nefarious. But among this group, any of them could be guilty, and only the creeping cat knows for sure...until the end.