The Riverside Murder

THE RIVERSIDE MURDER (1935) starts with a bang as Robert Norman (Aubrey Mallalieu) is dispatched in the study with the revolver.

This is the first big case for Inspector Philip Winton's (Basil Sydney) first big case he is assisted by Police Sgt. 'Mac' McKay (Alastair Sim). Everyone is being dogged by armature reporter Claire Haines (Judy Gunn.)

Turn out it is the standard tontine mystery. So, more participants may be dispatched.

Too many explanations and of course the murderer probably pops out of the closest at the last minute. Why do we not get all the information during the movie?

Because there is no butler, I assume it is the housekeeper.

THE RIVERSIDE MURDER opens with a murder committed by an unknown assailant. Inspector Philip Winton (Basil Sydney) and Sgt. Mac McKay (Alister Sim) are quickly on the case, questioning witnesses and running down clues.

There's also an ambitious reporter named Claire Haines (Judy Gunn) who is interested in getting the scoop.

There's a growing list of suspects, all standing to gain financially from the victim.

If that's not enough, more murders occur! Complicating matters, Winton only has a small timeframe in which to solve the crimes.

This is a very enjoyable crime drama / mystery with a satisfying conclusion...

The Riverside Murder is a British quota quickie, notable only for being the film debut of Alastair Sim.

Shortly before an important meeting of five investors, one of them, Robert Norman, is shot dead in his study. It becomes apparent that all the investors are in danger as two others are knocked off.

Sim supplies the energy, and Judy Gunn as reporter Claire Haines supplies the aggravation.

The film uses the device of a gun barrel being seen in a doorway shooting someone.

Sloppily done, with the reporter (hanging up the phone and then the phone conversation continuing.

Alistair Sim, from this humble beginning, will go on to great things.

Someone gets shot right at the very beginning of the picture! And for the rest of the film, the coppers try to find the method and the killer. The victim was involved in an agreement which may be related to the murder. Many suspects. Also a meddling reporter. The very first role for the tall, thin, eerie alastair sim (from christmas carol). He's only 35 here, so he's not very old or creepy yet. But has a whole lot of lines, for a first role! It's pretty good. Everyone has an alibi, and we're not really sure who to believe. Some scenes are quite predictable. SO much talking. It feels like this one started out as a play. It's pretty good. Even if the resolution was kind of a last minute creation. Although the murderer really could have been anyone they chose, when we have reached the end. The story was kind of cheesy, but a fun one to watch. Directed by al parker. He started in the silent films, but this is the first film of his I had seen.

A good cast act badly in this parodic quota quickie in which three people are murdered yet never engages the interest - except possibly exasperation that nobody ever throttles the infuriating blonde reporter Judy Gunn is saddled with playing. Her final scene with detective Basil Sydney is so contrived you'll want to throw things at the screen.

The direction and photography are okay.