Murder at Midnight (1931) PRE-CODE HOLLYWOOD

Stars: Aileen Pringle, Alice White, Hale Hamilton
Writer/Director: Frank R. Strayer
Wealthy Mr. Kennedy shoots his secretary, Channing, during a parlor game, but it turns out the gun was loaded with real bullets. Luckily, criminologist Phillip Montrose is on hand to help the police. When Kennedy quickly ends up dead as well, the police think it's a tidy murder-suicide, but the family lawyer knows of a letter that voiced Kennedy's suspicions about someone who was out to get him. Soon, the cops are on the trail of a ruthless and clever killer who is one step ahead of even Montrose.

[@shirleysavitts9647]

Oh boy, they moved the body, put the phone back after dismantling, tracked all over the room.. Colombo would had a snit, Tom Barnaby would have also. Could not guess the killer, good film. Thank you for sharing.

[@playsindirtnapsalot.299]

This was a hoot! Loved that butler! The dialog writer had a great sense of humor.

[@nedludd7622]

Just started but the butler looks like a snitch and a class traitor.

[@leeannenewman4975]

If you love a good old fashioned "real" murder mystery that will "truly keep you guessing" all the way to the end,as there's too many suspects,then you will love this film righ t here! A great classic for its time,the fashion,style of clothes,the mansion,it was almost like the game of clue. That game of charades was truly a great disguse for the murder! I truly did enjoy this film & lol i've actually eaten 🍕🍕🥛pizza while watching🙂! Again,much Gratitude for this share!

[@jerryhatley5004]

I completely agree with you…though I had no pizza….

[@shadowbear66]

It also goes well with egg rolls.

[@Shortica]

🦋💖💯

[@denisealston6312]

Lol "the police department can use any brains" that line was funny.

[@gaslitworldf.melissab2897]

Funny, music didn't originally accompany "talkies." They did accompany silent movies as part of the storytelling drama. The silent moments really stand out. The evolution of filmmaking is fascinating. I prefer the late 30s, but now and then these early movies entertain too.

[@sandrawoolf]

I believe that this script was used to make "the Mystery of Mr. Wong" Both are entertaining movies.....old movies....my favorite kind

[@sodality3970]

I love the early talkies....and silent actors who came over .

[@mableaugust8160]

👌 😎 show

[@nancyrobles1005]

I saw this film five times over: it's still a good one😎😉

[@praggypopsqa4652]

Thank you PF. Fun mystery. Great opening. Lovely home with beautiful doors and trim.

[@Alan-rh1el]

Clever and inventive murder mystery thanks for posting.

[@lynnlobliner3933]

"Is he dead?" "No, it's his day off."

[@anthonycrnkovich5241]

These old pre-Code films make for great late night viewing.

[@bobwallace9814]

The peanut eating cop became an icon worldwide as an actor on the Three Stooges movie shorts. He never changed his look or his mannerisms.

[@sahras.8319]

That was brilliant Bob Wallace. Thank you. Bravo!

[@edwardgarea7650]

The peanut eating cop was the great Vernon Dent.

[@debbiebalnaves8660]

Love 💞 these old whodunit movies .. the dramatic music suspense and shadows all add to the movie .. it was usually the music and shadows that made me jump I was between the age of 8 and 11 years old back in the 1960's these movies and horror and sci-fi were the 11pm to 2 am late night movies

[@78rpmblues]

I watched this film because Alice White was in it, too bad she gets bumped off. The mystery is compelling enough to keep your interest. Many of these early talking films were like watching a stage play, but it's a nice little story worth watching. This film was remade into The Mystery of Mr. Wong, 1939, starring Boris Karloff.

[@youngsteph1]

I had never heard of Alice White until this film, but she was the one person who stood out despite having few lines in the film. Weirdly she was second in the cast. Discovered she was quite controversial & sex scandals wrecked her career. Warner Brothers answer to Clare Bow by all accounts, which seeing her I could believe.

[@RetiredSchoolCook]

THANK YOU I ENJOYED WATCHING THIS GOOD OLD MOVIE FEB. 21 2019

[@jak3589]

Great movie, great humor! Thank you

[@cmtckc]

Enjoyed the movie. Loved the aunt.

[@greggschroeder]

Yes! Clara Blandick is wonderful.

[@kathleenlynch7603]

Love the oldies!

[@enriquesanchez2001]

Great fun. Very early mystery without musical background but if not for the hissing it would be like a stage play. But it was fun anyway. Never bored me and kept me interested throughout since I watch many of these early attempts. :)

[@cynk956]

Why do you feel the need for background music? There's enough sound imposed on the public the way it is. Noise pollution! It poisons the mind. There is no need for background music.

[@653j521]

@@cynk956 Overreacting?

[@marypatten9655]

Whew. Syre racked up the dead bifies in this one. Sad they did not go far enough to show her being arrested too as his accomplice. Great movie video Thank you for sharing. God bless

[@GraeneyMac]

Very entertaining. Thank you!

[@AROBASPARK]

For a moment, I thought of Columbo: "we're about to know who dunnit this early?"

[@11froglegs]

Very intriguing to say the least😊😊😊😊

[@myrnagroger132]

A rather abrupt ending, but for 1931, it was good. I suspected him for he was the last one you would think had a motive. Good movie with a little laughter thrown in. The women stole the show.(ls)

[@lindabrown7374]

Good old mystery. Thanks!

[@maryrozario397]

LINDA BROWN good 'ol linda brown

[@kaywhite8019]

The cat and the canary’s

[@elizabethfitgerald9775]

Yes

[@OliviaAnciso]

Loved that last line at 1:06:09. Hat's off to Frank R. Strayer, I couldn't figure out whodunnit.

[@kathleenmckeithen118]

Wonderful!!! Thank you!!

[@dianevitale1214]

good one. Enjoyed. Thanks Pizza.

[@candacegladden5313]

The police dept could use a brain like aunt edna lol thanks for posting

[@jimdevilbiss9125]

Candace Gladden Your comment is certainly true especially the two officers who were apparently never really on duty.

[@rollothecat2010]

The maid's outfit is outrageous for the times: low neckline, body hugging, and she slinks when she walks. Did maids wear high heels like hers?

[@MrLyndarenaud]

''slinks''.... haven't heard that in eons!

[@vintagehippie3647]

Lol....It's pre-code.

[@laureecoleman5104]

It's called poetic license...It's a movie.

[@carolleenkelmann3829]

In Hollywood they do!

[@C716]

Alice White COULD in fact slink and keep an innocent look on her her cute face at the same time. She could get a confession out of ME anytime!!

[@sheilapendley1716]

Thank You!

[@Catquick1957]

I didn't know Alec Baldwin made movies 92 years ago.

[@11froglegs]

Ouch but so funny😊

[@mikenixon2401]

Great find, Pizza. Thanks.

[@MrLyndarenaud]

That is one very sick police siren!

[@leelarson107]

Some of the early ones were hand-cranked or linked to the mechanism rather than electric-driven like the later ones. I remember some from the late 1940's that sounded just as bad.

[@UncleDavesKitchen]

Clara Blandick...Alice White...great little flick.

[@toroon]

Better than average whodunit. Take an hour and enjoy.

[@debbiebalnaves8660]

Love these old whodunit movies ..

[@Dd-xt8hc]

Another good mystery !!!!!!!!!!!!

[@petekanter9059]

The first time I watched this, I just couldn't help wondering about the cute blonde actress who played the maid, Alice White. Might she have been at least considered for the role of Alice, in the 1933 adaption of Alice In Wonderland, instead of Charlotte Henry?

[@TomHolz-e9x]

That maid sure could walk the dog!❤😊

[@daveallen63]

The little maid is a sweetheart, lovely young woman.

[@nancyrobles1005]

This one was a great 🎥film🙂

[@Ourladyrules]

good little mystery, kept me guessing 👍🎥🎥🎥🥂

[@stephaniehand503]

Thank you

[@alfredbonnabel7022]

Aileen Pringle was a first rate actress in silents...now in an Amity film production.

[@maryowen1722]

Auntie Em at the card table!

[@stanochocki8984]

A good film, for the Era. But still the stiff-theater acting and directions. But LOL...love the huge Hoover Upright, in the hall at 41:00. remember seeing them in use, Cool!

[@dorissantos839]

stan ochocki u.

[@gnirolnamlerf593]

Yes, the dialogue moves slower than Lawrence the butler, whose lugubriousness provides some amusement, as do some of the other characters. The Charades scene reminds me of The Mystery of Mr. Wong with Boris Karloff as the good guy who solves the crime. That came eight years after this film, but with an actor of Karloff's skill in the lead, has stood the test of time much better. No Boris here. This is a pretty good mystery to solve, however, with lots of suspects, but solvable before the solution is presented on the screen. There are little things to figure out along the way too that add interest, though they may or may not lead you to the solution, as some are red herrings.

[@youngsteph1]

I never realised electric hoovers were around at that time. Learn something all the time.

[@suzieqwonder3089]

My mother loved to run our green Hoover upright continuously for years! That ugly, loud & stinky machine was used so much, the rest of the family despised it ~ but at least our carpets & rugs were always clean! 😆 (mainly for us kids to sit & lay down on!) 💥*I’m sure the older generation can relate to this annoyance*💥

[@sjr7822]

The Hoover, so heavy! Lover the old movies, I can reminisce

[@rollothecat2010]

41:15 what a snoop the butler is!

[@dlmofva51]

Nice mystery.

[@ccvisions]

Some of these performers began acting in films as early as 1908.

[@greggschroeder]

Auntie Em is Aunt Julia! Good ol' Clara Blandick.

[@PizzaFLIX]

Wow good eye! Thanks for watching PizzaFLIX. May the Sauce be with you.

[@PKStefanini]

Wonderful movie. Scratchy though. But a great whodunit.

[@numberoneduchess]

I don't think high heels were part of a maid's uniform in 1931.

[@vibewoogie3483]

Millie Scripts with those high heels and switching around the room. Hilarious!

[@j3lny425]

Well at least they weren't 'Hooker Heels'

[@amandawilcox9638]

Pre-code

[@tmo.48]

My one Grama always wore a house dress and heels, about 2.5--3 inch "old lady Oxford type". She'd wear an apron while working around the house. Wish I could have kept those shoes--one pair for home, the newer exact but shinier pair for church. I miss her.

[@wilde4445]

Mr. PF, thank you. Mare

[@charliesmith4229]

Vernon Dent of the Three Stooges cast is in here. Love this----- these are 99% better than most of the crap in 2022. Just saying

[@leelarson107]

The movie as such is all right, but the audio track needs to be cleaned up; that 'surface noise' is hard to get around.

[@Robbi496]

LUV the spooky opening

[@addie_is_me]

How great is Leslie Fenton? So great!

[@alfredbonnabel7022]

Aunty Em in an evening gown!

[@williamschlenger1518]

Great movie 👍👍

[@rollothecat2010]

47= Is he dead? No, it's his day off!

[@Liki972]

On 3rd October 1938

[@zelliatorsema9579]

Very similar plot to The 1939 movie "The Mystery of Mr Wong".

[@laurasherman5147]

Well, I guess the butler didn't do it.

[@rollothecat2010]

Interesting. This is an old one, 1931.

[@chrisgreeby3056]

What maid wears high heels?

[@dianedenham5259]

"Easy Spirit" 😆 you can play basketball in those.

[@11froglegs]

She's cute😅

[@phillyeagles4lifego-birds944]

🙃🙃 No one knows the true meaning of happiness until their married .... Then its to late ... !! 🙃🙃

[@paulcaron400]

Brother you said a mouth full👍

[@tmo.48]

As a woman I concur ♡. I suppose anyone would agree if they unwittingly married a narcissist.

[@thomasfleischer83]

That's the reason why I'll never marry. 😊😉

[@lisashapiro5758]

Don't get married. Men want to end women threw marriage. A bunch of Mul____

[@annaquinn4810]

Hahahahahaha!

[@RasslebearNOLA]

Auntie Em! Auntie Em!

[@suzieqwonder3089]

“There’s no place like home!”

[@marvaharding796]

thought that was her

[@Magnetron33]

Clara Blandick

[@dukromeo]

this should be the top comment but i had to scroll forever to find anyone mentioning her.

[@TomHolz-e9x]

Vernon Dent! Three stooges player!😊

[@nedludd7622]

A good mystery and plot, but there is in addition the exposure of the class structure. The idle rich have nothing to do and so play charades. The maid is told to go upstairs where she belongs. For example.

[@stmnMcdn]

If I didn't read comments, I'd stop at 10m , the cop was annoying

[@alfredbonnabel7022]

It's interesting to see two actors whose popularity dimmed, Aileen Pringle and Alice White, in this together.

[@j3lny425]

Anybody remember'Grayson'' from 'Little Cesar' the year before?

[@dominicpiscopo7915]

That guy at 4:55 was Stan Laurel and Hunts Hall all rapped up in on just saying LOL

[@gladasya1068]

Frank Strayer would later direct a number of Blondie movies at Columbia.

[@mikekutz5776]

THE BUTLER DID IT......Or it was Miss Crabapple ;or maybe it was....Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! someone got meeeeeeee.

[@williamschlenger1518]

I liked the butler 😊

[@11froglegs]

Me too

[@rajeshkoppa2367]

I always wonder. If all the life of earth vanished . Years after the alien got few film stored in harddrive and unable to crack them how they will pursieve us.......seeing all the fantasy, youtube, cartoons, super heros , ghost.... It would be a great deal to jump to conclusions for them. They will find supporting items as proof.. will they ever know us as we are today... Are they unable to crack our technology... Or simply all this glory will be forgotten... One such science fiction movie or TV series should be made.. ... It may become successful and interesting to study and watch. May help us to understand our past or aliens past.

[@garrysekelli6776]

Did the butler do it?

[@davidcarlson2152]

Never call the police to tell them you know who did it.

[@chrisoconnell5143]

He wasa little rusty back in those day

[@chrisoconnell5143]

This lady should open a funeral home

[@paulmcginn5146]

pizza flicks, ain't started watchin. already know it's good

[@larrycarmody8325]

When someone gets shot, their legs fold up and they fall straight down in place.

[@tmo.48]

I've seen a moose get shot and he fell stiff legged to his right side.

[@keithharvey7230]

Auntie Emm from Wizard of Oz.

[@amandawilcox9638]

You nailed it. I couldn't remember where I'd seen her. Kansas, of course! (also in black & white!)

[@Muertes-tf2oj]

Alice White was a babe!

[@mikeymike3240]

At 51:50 ......this isn’t a murder case, it’s an epidemic 😷, priceless lol 😂 , they don’t write them like this anymore,, mores the pity.

[@garrysekelli6776]

Lol. Is He dead? No its his day off.

[@mookieeastman9190]

Alec Baldwin should have watched this.

[@DateTwoRelate]

A bit stagey but why not "take in a play" in your own home? PS What do you call a maid in heels? A naughty maid, of course.

[@Prof.Tarfeather]

What a hoot! The butler was innocent? Amazing! In these older films it seems there's a message? Eliminate the middle man or Lady Justice. Save the State millions of dollars and let the Police gun down bank robbers, allow murderers to commit suicide or get gunned down. And never give up on a Police chase! The likelihood of your suspect tumbling down a cliff to crash and burn is pretty high.

[@jerryhatley5004]

…oh my…could mr. Kennedy’s real name be mr Baldwin?….oh my……

[@mikeoak2413]

the corona virus did it.

[@Mritalicsmine]

An excellent movie woorthy of preservation and optional colorization. my proofs: 27:30 to 2750 40:30 to 4052 47:09 is he dead? 56:50 to 5815 59:30 105:30

[@rooney3303]

@Italics Mine, yes to preservation, no to colourization.

[@keithharvey7230]

What does all that mean?

[@ChrisCarlin-is8wv]

Colorization ruins these old films.

[@jamesdunn7555]

🗳🔒

[@godlesshelp8503]

2 Ribbits ...

[@garyflythe1362]

The most incompetent Police department.

[@richardtalley821]

I want a divorice

[@whatevs4531]

Kirby

[@BriefcaseWanker]

boring