The Panther's Claw (1942) CRIME-MYSTERY

Stars: Sidney Blackmer, Rick Vallin, Byron Foulger
Director: William Beaudine
In the first of a planned series of films based on Foulton Osler's stories, finds Police Commissioner Thatcher Colt and his aide, Anthony Abbott using their usual methods of science and deduction, set out to solve the murder of an opera singer. This involves two wig-makers, an opera troupe, an announcement of a trip to South America, and an artful disguise.

[@mikenixon2401]

Much can be said with and for good clean humor and dialogue. Here is a perfect example. Thank you for providing these classics.

[@abhijitmukherjee720]

A little Comedy, little Suspense and little Humor and it goes to straight in my Head, so Beautifully written, directed with great Crews, all played well as their own, fantastic story

[@huntingthekaiser6490]

A really good "B" film. This one is well directed and the actors are committed to their roles. Thanks for putting it on the Web.

[@djreid]

B film ? I've seen A movies that can not come close to this one !

[@lyndabackman278]

This is random, I know. Do colorized noir movies bother anyone, but me? I love all the different shades of color in black and white films!! 🤫🤭

[@MichaelGunner123]

You're definitely NOT alone in your admission. A large part of the background, character development, & storylines within Film Noir films is just that---was shot in B&W. Colorization of that genre of films totally contradicts & distorts those elements. Makes no logical sense.

[@leelarson107]

@@MichaelGunner123 Bear in mind that The Real World has always been in Technicolor.

[@dwightpowell6673]

​@@leelarson107That's the problem... Colorization of the real world. Black and White is much simpler.

[@JohnMichaelGunner]

SAME HERE! Color ruins Film Noir!

[@JohnMichaelGunner]

​@@leelarson107No sh--, Sherlock! We weren't discussing that anyway!

[@DavidSmith-sb2ix]

Byron Foulger was a great and underrated actor. A hoot in the opening scene. The cop was great too.

[@patriciapiper6294]

Hi guys, was Byron the accused??? Digberry???😮 Love that guy. No one like him. He was everywhere!!! No matter who he played, he was just curious??😮😊

[@djreid]

Great plots and acting, Byron Foulger is amazing !!

[@nmr6988]

A thoroughly enjoyable film. I always liked Byron Foulger. He was The Nervous Man before Don Knotts was! Thanks for uploading it.

[@vernalc2449]

Such witty banter, the writing was incredible back in the day! A DA with tunnel vision, but a PC with his eyes wide open-gotta love it. Very glad I subscribed to this channel. Thanks!

[@walterwheeler5465]

Thank you for making this fine film available for viewing. It was very entertaining - script, pace, acting, and sound effects.

[@DavidRice111]

Byron Foulger was a familiar character in many films & TV, but this was probably his biggest role of all.

[@RRW1982]

Sydney Blackmer, Byron Foulger, Herbert Rawlinson - these three ace character actors are a potful of gold for this story. Other elements had to have been in place for this 'poverty row' film to have been so successful. One reason is that the people on the screen had lots of talent, and gave _everything_ they had to make their part meaningful. This is easily above average! Somewhere I read an unkind dig about Producer's Releasing Corporation, which also went by its reduced moniker, PRC. The suggestion that it was [R]otten...maybe some were when compared to David O. Selznick or MGM, but when fun is delivered in such a way as _this_ , then applause for everyone!

[@msreginagreen5351]

Kudos comment!!!

[@101Volts]

Any time I see Byron in one of these old movies, I'm glad to see him. He's in so much stuff, usually playing little parts here and there (I can't expect always with speaking roles.) I know he's in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," then he's in "The Black Raven," "Quiet Please - Murder," and "He Walked by Night." But he has a great many acting credits in small parts.

[@heatherfulmore3412]

Yes

[@heatherfulmore3412]

Nice movie

[@nolawest5183]

They should have made this into a series... It was entertaining & clever! Thank you!

[@marthawissmann8268]

Loved that Digberry character from the beginning. It was fun. Thanks for that.

[@carlpen850]

number one rule when watching any 'who-done-did-it' mystery crime story, never fall for the red herring and it's usually the person who pretends to be the "do-gooder"... unless it's the butler

[@phineascampbell3103]

Haha, yeah! Unless of course there are any nuns around, particularly if they seem suspiciously, ambiguously "close," in which case all other bets are off.. ! 🤣 🧕🧕✝️👀😈☠️👻

[@phineascampbell3103]

(those were the nearest thing I could find to nuns in habits...)

[@markgarin6355]

Hey.....stop spoiling the movie...ha

[@scarygary-qq1pj]

In all of the gazillions of books, movies & T.V. shows I've seen/read, NEVER has the butler dunnit. I wonder how that phrase originated.🤔🤨

[@SuperCaveDog1]

This was a new one on me but it was great to see familiar and great character actor Byron Foulger in such a big role!

[@deadalready7467]

What a Great Film. Byron Foulger is something special. The movies I’ve seen him in, he always adds to making them better. I’ll have to look for him in more films, he always delivers. Many Blessings All 🙏🇺🇸

[@lindarocco9974]

Thanks PizzaFlix for another fun Who-Done-It. Twists and Turns till the very end. It was Great Fun watching Byron Foulger.

[@1949LA-ARCH]

🎉WWII era stateside made movie. PF, this is a great movie. Nice to see Byron Folger in a lead role. He is really HILLARIOUS in this movie. 😊

[@rosaliewaller741]

Held my attention, clues but mystery persisted, Foulger (sp.) very good acting - I found this film very well paced and entertaining.

[@IsaDesOsiers]

Another gem of movie I had never seen before. Thank you PizzaFlix!

[@rosebud8336]

1 of the BEST little crime mystery I've ever seen!!!!

[@djreid]

One of the finest i've seen too !

[@deadalready7467]

A film for the Family to Enjoy. I do like Byron Foulger & the energy, the uniqueness given to his characters. What a treasure he was for this movie & the industry itself. Many Blessings All 🙏🇺🇸💪

[@coffeecoffee2600]

Love these old movies...thank you for up loading them....

[@MichaelGunner123]

CLASSIC FILMS!

[@laurierarch7875]

Thank you for adding the year of the film released to theaters!

[@patrickdsouza1183]

WELL DIRECTED,WELL PLAYED BY ACTORS,GREAT STORY.BEAUTIFUL MOVIE.

[@dzyanist]

Excellent..!! One of the more prominent roles I've seen the amazing Mr.Foulger in..!! ..and always dig Sydney Blackmer.. Thanks for posting..!!

[@jfontenot2842]

dzyanist only ki

[@jfontenot2842]

dzyanist k

[@johnnyray88]

Sidney Blackmer one of his last movie roles was in Rosemary's baby.

[@philipmarlowe5035]

Surprisingly good movie... especially Foulger and the police commissioner with a much needed sense of humor . I want to adopt Homer,but I'm probably 75 years too late !

[@janupczak1643]

This was a good one! What a great respite from politics, rising death tolls, feeling hopeless and helpless. Thank you so much.😊❤

[@MichaelGunner123]

Hope you're VACCINATED & BOOSTED! God Bless.

[@stevef9530]

Good fun, with some comic sequences. Lombardi’s appearances were nicely done and the plot worked well. Thank you Pizza!

[@sophieseeker929]

Thanks for a great find PizzaFlix. A treat seeing Foulger`s portrayal of Digberry (sp) as a gentle naiev character with BALLS. and brilliant. Nov 2019

[@laurelvanhouten7924]

A very cute crime mystery. Really enjoyed it.

[@paulb.pixton4684]

This is indeed an example of fine entertainment at a bargain budget. The actors and the dialogue carry it entirely, not all of the computer-generated special effects of most of today’s films. I am surprised that any actress/ actor today can claim an Oscar for best performance in a leading role when the real star of the film is the special affects. Sidney Blackmer often plays heavy and quite dark roles, but this is a case where his lighter and more comedic side comes through marvelously well. He was a very versatile actor. But, Brian Foulger is clearly the star of the show who has more dialogue than in perhaps any other film he made - and he made hundreds of them! His concern about how his unseen wife and daughters are going to react to things is a riot: he really has been enjoying the time alone without them! Once again, this film allows Foulger the opportunity to show his diversity as an actor! Thank you for posting this most pleasant film. Even after all these years, it is very entertaining and, so far as I can see, it offends no one - unless it plays on the nagging housewife a bit too much!

[@paulb.pixton4684]

I should have said “versatility” rather than “diversity”; a clear case of present-day words being superimposed upon the past in an unintended way. Pardonnez moi s.v.p.

As a POC, I'm very offended and embarrassed by the shuffling, bowing and scraping, bug-eyed, mouth-opened, quivering lips and happy-go-lucky antics of the elevator oprator/key holder/whatever his title was. I must consider that the movie was produced in 1942 and that his role was a step up from picking cotton. Just my observation.

[@mariesmith7006]

It is clear to see the district attornies have not changed much over the years. Quick for a prosecution even if it is wrong. Good movie. Thanks

[@MichaelGunner123]

U sure were SPOT - ON regarding your analysis of DA's. Way too eager to get a conviction at all costs.

[@mikeymike3240]

I love this movie, it’s got it all, but best of all, no bad language and a couple of good slaps. 👋👋. Thanks for posting this awesome movie.

[@ralebeau]

I usually avoid PRC movies, but this was pretty good. It may be the most screen time Byron Foulger ever had.

[@philipmarlowe5035]

Loved the epitaph on the tombstone!

[@johnmccormick3254]

I liked that line about the fighting 69th -“I knew you weren’t in the fighting 69th - there were no rats in that outfit.” Back to the days when we had such pride - and the movie “the Fighting 69th” with Cagney and O’Brien was released a year before this. Pride in the US, pride in famous regiments, you left the theatre feeling happy at the movie and pride we had such men. Absurd to say today.

[@cantseeneedcaps]

@John McCormick, TODAY THE MILITARY IS NOT MUCH MORE THAN THE MUSCLE FOR THE BAD GUYS !

[@123justbeingme123]

Enjoyed this movie. Fun to watch and relaxing.

[@mableaugust8160]

I 😍 the mob

[@mableaugust8160]

Good show 😍 it

[@cb8957]

The commissioners assistant is so dreamy!

[@ccsitaround]

Nice movie to spend an evening with, a real mystery, thanks.

[@peter4Flags]

The Commissioner of Police ,cool character . Nice movie. Thank You very much.

[@nevsmate9818]

enjoyed watching that...... thank you for making it available.

[@johnschlesinger2009]

I enjoyed every minute. Seriousness alternates with absurdity throughout. Did he get his cat back? Never saw it again after the cops took it away lol. From a present day perspective, the portrayal of the black porter smacks of undisguised racism - common in films of this period.

[@arlenacampbell200]

Thank you for sharing these movies. I really enjoy them.

[@PizzaFLIX]

Thanks for watching PizzaFLIX

[@willg4802]

At first I didn't think this would be all that great, but it managed to hold my interest. It lacks the snappy dialogue and love story sub plot of the detective movies of the thirties, and was therefore much more subdued, but still interesting.

[@TheEyez187]

Try "The Penguin Pool Murder. It has the snappy dialogue and a crazy love plot that I thought seemingly came out of nowhere!!"

[@dattakafkaodell6698]

Per IMDB, this was the last of three movies featuring Thatcher Colt. The other two had Adolphe Menjou in the role.

[@vin.handle]

Sidney Blackmer was a better actor than I imagined.

[@MalcolmHorlock]

Strange that a 'left-handed' murderer should write his name and address with his right hand! But, otherwise, a great film.

[@heroesytumbas]

Yeah the writer just forgot about that, which could've been easily explained by making him ambidextrous.

[@DavidSmith-sb2ix]

Cops should be so funny. Byron was a great character actor.

[@leonorebaulch6251]

This was delightfully funny farce....loved it ! Thank for an evening's fun.....

[@6or1]

$1000.00 in 1942 dollars is worth nearly $15,000.00 in 2014 dollars, a lot more if the Panther had demanded payment in gold. Even in silver it would have been quite a haul, and quite heavy too!

[@joannspears1159]

Awesome B, thanks! Loved Foulger in this one.

[@richardw3470]

Another entertaining 'What next?' mystery - most always with humor. And, Bryan Foulger one of the perennial second banana What's His Name - probably more screen time than anyone else in this movie. Casper Milquetoast.

[@teresalydon7714]

Excellent movie✨ Thank you for posting. 💫 Directors today haven't a clue as to how to come close to making movies as an art ⏳.

[@ksr7271]

I would love to see the other movies in the series, if ever made. This one is very intelligent and witty. Wow! Thanks.

[@scarletibis3158]

thank you for this film!

[@heathekliffe4957]

Love the cat!

[@usermikes]

Sidney Blackmer ...He and his wife lived in Manhattan over looking Central Park...Building still there..

[@MrsMusicInMe]

The actor, Billy Mitchell, who portrayed Nicodemus J. Brown is excellent in this movie.

[@hvsmanral9320]

A Wonderful Movie Indeed!

[@Songwriter376]

Absolutely love this movie.

[@cantseeneedcaps]

@Zoid-o Tron, IT WAS A GOOD PLOT WASN'T IT.👍

[@Songwriter376]

@@cantseeneedcaps Absolutely was!

[@swmovan]

I've been watching a lot of these older movies, lately. And this might be the first one where the police didn't act like a bunch of idiots, and who actually figured out who the killer was. The police commissioner wasn't just trying to make an arrest, as many of them do. Of course the politician acted like a politician, only worried about himself and his reelection. I wasn't familiar with Sidney Blackmer, and I'll have to check out more of his movies. He, along with most of the others, didn't seem to be overacting, or hamming it up, as many did in these older movies. Always liked Byron Foulger, even if I didn't know his name.

[@mikejones-qk2ou]

Great movie with some funnys too!

[@caroldurst1855]

Excellent!

[@thomascampbell4730]

My name is Tom and I'm old movie "who done-it" addict. The Pizza man is my pusher. Thanks guy, great flick.

[@PizzaFLIX]

Get your PizzaFLIX on route 666.

[@adrian72300]

Another great one from the PizzaFlix

[@dew2912]

"I was in St Louie..."

[@weldrider1]

The crime was in St Louie......"I was in Chicago" Ha Ha Ha.

[@philipmarlowe5035]

That was a funny bit

[@mariapierce2707]

@@philipmarlowe5035 yes just too funny!!!

[@garylandrum9036]

MAYBE HOLLYWOOD SHOULD WATCH THIS MOVIE “they may learn how to make great movies “

[@nildacrespo1683]

G L. Well said💃👍🕺

[@MichaelGunner123]

Entertaining CLASSIC FILM!

[@bundung5463]

The opening scene hooked me...

[@elvinposey5251]

I thought this would be like the classic Catman of Paris which is one of my favoritesbut no it's not but it's a good little mystery movie with some good actors. nice quality.

[@richardolson5638]

I always liked to read the other story headlines when they show a newspaper with the big headline about the murder, etc. In this movie, they show newspapers numerous times, supposedly from different dates as the story progresses. Obviously, the pertinent headline and accompanying text have be superimposed on an actual newspaper, but many of the "other" headlines are repeated from other newspapers, albeit moved around. So, my guess is that the filmmaker grabbed copies of several newspapers on the same day and used them to insert the chronological story-relevant headlines, not noticing that all of the newspapers carried stories repeated in the other newspapers.

[@mrsapplez2007]

Didn't think it was going to be any good but suprised me. Easy watching. Thank you 😊

[@deborahrust-thewinemaven9420]

Just a good movie...not in-depth..light and easy to watch and listen while knitting.

[@laurencelance586]

Very well done!

[@cathymitchell3613]

Great to watch a NICE movie! Very entertaining.

[@MichaelGunner123]

CLASSIC FILM!

[@sunillazar4841]

SO VERY SIMPLISTICALLY ENTERTAINING.

[@willg4802]

Reminds me of the Poirot mystery "The ABC Murders" where a befuddled man is manipulated and framed by a mastermind.

[@ronaldstrange8981]

Lovely film. Many thanks. February, 2023.

[@leelarson107]

I noticed, again, that some people making Comments are over-using the term 'noir' in films. A film noir simply means that it is characterized by pessimism, cynicism, and is filmed beautiful B&W because of budgetary concerns. *But those who use that term so frequently are often posturing as film critics and bemoaning the fact that Nature doesn't come in B&W.

[@jimsteele9261]

I thought for a moment that one of the newspaper stories at about 20:55 "Death Claims Veteran Salesman" was an inside joke referring to the play "Death of a Salesman", but it would be 7 years too early. Odd coincidence....

[@sueeason275]

I was born in 1942 ...as a small child I saw a movie called "Moss Rose " ....a murder mystery ..WW2 ...I remember soldiers ...I would love to see it again ...

[@ericahartmann9726]

A very good film. Interesting plot and good actors. I've really enjoyed watching it. Tks!

[@maryduarte3248]

Thanks for sharing

[@brendaleverick3655]

Cool flick. But the volume is too low. Crank it up, please. 👂

[@marypatten9655]

Whew. Great video. Loved this one. Thank you God bless

[@virginiastevens3782]

Great little movie, thank you. 🇬🇧

[@Lightonahill25]

PizzaFlix, merci from Normandy, FR. You are my post-confinement happy find.

[@PizzaFLIX]

Bonjour! Thanks for watching PizzaFLIX

[@Lightonahill25]

@@PizzaFLIX merci a vous!

[@jerryleroy9187]

She could have lost an eye with that cord hitting her in the face like that at 20:27.

[@swissotto1]

Great movie, thanks!

[@meganlevy7767]

Thanks for the great movies you share and especial thanks for taking the time to write down the picture detsils y summary. You truly do a great work for the fun of many 😊😀🤩😉

[@PizzaFLIX]

Hi Meg 🍕Thanks for the kind words of support. May the Sauce be with you 🍕

[@oldtrooper6325]

What an interesting movie. Just wild for a B movie.

[@dwightpowell6673]

Can you imagine what Rock Hudson was thinking and feeling when he realized he was dying?

[@shahinbadsha8509]

A good movie right and tight to the script no nonsense film good acting by all specially Mr Digberrt

[@jillybird1567]

That was a thoroughly enjoyable film! Thank-you PizzaFlix!

[@pramishprakash]

Great movie ..

[@abdulmajeedkhan144]

Awesome movie scripted very well.simple and entertainment.

[@waderaney7]

A great movie

[@MichaelGunner123]

A great CLASSIC FILM!

[@stephaniehand503]

thank you

[@garryferrington811]

William Beaudine doing a 6-day wonder for PRC? In the twenties he was a top-flight director, ended up in cheapies and did very well in television.

[@mariovaccarella6854]

Very Decent Mystery. It's some special thing, Byron Foulger in these 1930s & 1940s movies, since, I remember seeing him in The I Love Lucy Episode of her birthday, as The Friend Of The Friendless Leader, about 10 years after this movie. Let me know what you think

[@mortimerzilch2608]

great opening scene!