"The Murder in the Museum" might have been more aptly named "The Murder at the Carny Side-Show"; that at least would have given it a more curious appeal. I'm always intrigued by the way the customer is portrayed in these era films - all the men are dressed in suit and tie, and I didn't see even one without a hat on. The few women patronizing the Sphere Museum are also attired in Sunday go to meeting finery, all for a chance to ogle your typical 'man eating chicken' type exhibit.
When all is said and done, this picture is pretty much a mess of a murder mystery. When it was all over, I had to question the whole business of the 'six minute early' phone call placed by Commissioner Brandon (Joseph W. Girard), as if that was somehow going to implicate him by tipping off the department that something was about to go down. Since the murder victim Newgate (Sam Flint) was a political rival, this obvious red herring allowed Brandon to vent his frustration with a press that had the power to 'make or break' a man. But what of that plot element? It was brought up by newspaperman Ross (John Harron), seconded by the facts of the case, and then simply dropped. Huh?
And what about all the other mayhem on the way to discovering Newgate's assailant? Sphere Museum owner Carr (Tom O'Brien) winds up killing the Mexican knife thrower (Steve Clemente), and is then dispatched himself by Katura the Seeress (Symona Boniface). What??!! How come no one was interested in THOSE murders? I mean come on - where was Ross's by-line for that chain of events? He was right there when it happened!! along with his new girlfriend Lois (Phyllis Barrington), the Commissioner's niece.
Even Charlie Chan would have thrown up his hands in frustration with this case. But he wouldn't have had to do much sleuthing. The real murderer simply gives himself up at the finale, citing his wife's suicide after an affair with victim Newgate some twenty years earlier. Up until then, it would have been a safe bet that Professor Mysto would eventually solve the case with his mind mystifying stunts of illusion. Good job Mysto.
OK folks - here's the best line in the picture from the carny shill promoting an exotic dancer - "Why she shakes her shims better than any shimmy shaker that's ever shaken a shimmy before..." You know, I think he was right.
When all is said and done, this picture is pretty much a mess of a murder mystery. When it was all over, I had to question the whole business of the 'six minute early' phone call placed by Commissioner Brandon (Joseph W. Girard), as if that was somehow going to implicate him by tipping off the department that something was about to go down. Since the murder victim Newgate (Sam Flint) was a political rival, this obvious red herring allowed Brandon to vent his frustration with a press that had the power to 'make or break' a man. But what of that plot element? It was brought up by newspaperman Ross (John Harron), seconded by the facts of the case, and then simply dropped. Huh?
And what about all the other mayhem on the way to discovering Newgate's assailant? Sphere Museum owner Carr (Tom O'Brien) winds up killing the Mexican knife thrower (Steve Clemente), and is then dispatched himself by Katura the Seeress (Symona Boniface). What??!! How come no one was interested in THOSE murders? I mean come on - where was Ross's by-line for that chain of events? He was right there when it happened!! along with his new girlfriend Lois (Phyllis Barrington), the Commissioner's niece.
Even Charlie Chan would have thrown up his hands in frustration with this case. But he wouldn't have had to do much sleuthing. The real murderer simply gives himself up at the finale, citing his wife's suicide after an affair with victim Newgate some twenty years earlier. Up until then, it would have been a safe bet that Professor Mysto would eventually solve the case with his mind mystifying stunts of illusion. Good job Mysto.
OK folks - here's the best line in the picture from the carny shill promoting an exotic dancer - "Why she shakes her shims better than any shimmy shaker that's ever shaken a shimmy before..." You know, I think he was right.