| The Black Raven 1943 |
| Directed by Sam Newfield Every so often a film comes up and just falls in between genres.The Black Raven is one of those films.A hybrid of old dark house and crime films with some horror overtones tossed in for good measure. One of the worst storms in recent memory has hit upstate New York.All of the bridges to Canada are under water.So all traffic is being sent back. Those looking to wait the storm out are sent to The Black Raven.It is a small tavern/hotel run by Amos Bradford (George Zucco). Bradford gets a surprise visit from Whitey Cole(I Stanford Jolley).It seems that Whitey belonged to a gang run by Bradford.He got a little too pushy and wound up going to jail.He escaped and wants to kill Bradford.But his attempt is thwarted by the stupid handyman Andy(Glenn Strange).So Whitey is tied up and left in a back room. All sorts of interesting visitors show up.Mike Bardoni on the run from crooked politican Tim Winfield wants Bradford to sneak him across the border.Mousy little Horace Weatherby shows up with a satchel full of cash.He's on the run too it seems.So are Allen Bentley and Lee Winfield(Wanda McKay).They were fleeing to Canada to elope.And she happens to be Lee Winfield's daughter. Whitey in the meantime escapes and heads out the window.No doubt prowling the grounds while the rain comes down in buckets. In a great coincidence Tim Winfield shows up as he has been tailing his daughter.He and Bentley have words and threats are exchanged. He plans to have Bentley arrested for kidnapping.He tries to call the state police but the phone goes dead due to the storm. Winfield locks his daughter in her room.Bordini hides from Winfield and plots revenge. Weatherby is confronted by Winfield.It seems that Weatherby is a bank cashier on the lam.He absconded with fifty thousand dollars.Winfield threatens him unless he turns over the cash to him. He does so.In the meantime Winfield puts on Bradford's jacket and he does bear some resemblance to him. Winfield is discovered murdered in a room.As timing would have it the redneck sheriff (Charles Middleton) shows up. He tries to pin the murder on Bentley.But was it Bentley?Or was it Bordini still in hiding?Or did Whitey think he was killing Bradford?Lee and Bradford restrain the cop to let Bentley make an ill advised break for it.Now more than ever the finger of guilt is pointing at him. The cop trails who he thinks is Bentley out into the storm.It is Whitey but the cop is too stupid to know.There is a fight and Whitey knocks him out.Whitey heads back to the Black Raven. Bordini is convinced the satchel of cash is stashed somewhere in the inn.He ties up Bradford and Lee and tears the place apart looking for it.The cop recovers and is literally handed Bentley on a platter by Andy and Horace.At that moment there is a gunshot.Bordini is found dead, a victim of Whitey. SPOILER*****The storm stops and there is a tragic shootout in the end.Bentley is cleared of the murder as Horace confesses.Bradford and Whitey shot each other.As he dies Bradford wishes the young couple a life of happiness.***END OF SPOILER This is a lot of fun.Half of the budget must have gone for water as there is tons of it.Not to mention lightning and thunder.The movie is never boring and you can actually feel some emotion for or against most of the cast.Well paced and a fun way to spend an hour.It is available on the Triton dvd Crimestoppers Volume 2 with Fog Island and Dick Tracy Vs Cueball. |
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