House of Danger

I agree with the others who posted about this movie. It is very enjoyable. The DVD I have was made from a pretty bad print but I still made it through and appreciated the film very much. Onslow Stevens was quite a leading man back then. I agree that he could be just as effective today with his laid back acting style. The actress who played Sylvia was very, very beautiful. She and Stevens had great chemistry. I also liked the older actors, especially Howard Lang. There is a very funny bit where he and the older female character are swapping barbs about the old man's fondness for the eye candy at the pool. The entire pool scene was a blast, especially since we get to see Sylvia in a rather revealing swimsuit (along with some other vintage beauties)

There really isn't a lot of mystery here as we know who the bad guys are right away. However, the best and most effective plot device is the love at first sight between the two leads, one of whom is simply pretending to be the girl's long lost love. This really works great and leads me to believe that this film might work very well as a remake (This has Hallmark channel written all over it) I really liked it, a fine old film with a great cast that was fun to watch. According to this website, the actor who played Martin has no other film credits. He was pretty darn good in this, his only role!

1934's "House of Danger" was an independent production from the short-lived Peerless Pictures Corporation (8 titles overall, from 1931-36), toplining Universal contractee Onslow Stevens in the central role of Don Phillips, who impersonates his friend Ralph Nelson (James Bush) so as to uncover the truth behind the murder of Ralph's father. While the plot doesn't really stand up, Stevens is well cast, carrying the film with ease, with lovely Janet Chandler displaying her feminine form in a gorgeous one-piece bathing suit. At Universal, Stevens had done "Secret of the Blue Room," "Bombay Mail," "The Crosby Case," "Life Returns," and (especially) "House of Dracula"; for others, there were "The Monster and the Girl," "The Creeper," "Mark of the Gorilla," "The Couch" (his last film, from 1962), and the 1954 classic "Them!" Director Charles Hutchison was a veteran actor going back 20 years, turning increasingly to directing as the silent era wound down (as director, his final credit came in 1938, as an actor, 1944; he died in 1949).

After ten years sailing the South Sea islands, hair-twisting James Bush (as Ralph Nelson) and chum Onslow Stevens (as Don Phillips) and are on their way to Mr. Bush's home. Bush wants Mr. Stevens to help him put his recently inherited estate in order. Also, Bush is planning to marry long-waiting fiancée Janet Chandler (as Sylvia Evans). Unhappily, a boating accident derails Bush; so, instead, Stevens arrives at the estate, impersonating "Ralph Nelson". Soon, Stevens is investigating the mysterious death of Bush's father, falling in hove with Ms. Chandler, and facing danger… The film is very good, for a low-budget mystery. Stevens is especially noteworthy; his worth as a leading man is highly evident, even in this relatively inferior production.

****** House of Danger (11/10/34) Charles Hutchison ~ Onslow Stevens, Janet Chandler, James Bush

This B-movie is from tiny Peerless Pictures. Surprisingly, it's rather good. Now I am not saying it's a 'must-see' picture, but it's better than you'd expect from a cheap B.

When the film begins, Don (Onslow Stevens) and his friend Ralph have been on a sea journey for a very long time. In fact, Ralph hasn't been home in a decade. After the boat explodes, Don arrives at Ralph's family estate and poses as Ralph. This is because apparently, some crazy family member is planning on doing Ralph in and taking the family fortune. So, Don sticks around and investigates, but there is a hitch-- Ralph's old girlfriend has fallen for Don and thinks he is Ralph!

While the plot is a bit contrived, the acting is generally good and the story works pretty well--provided you don't think too much about problems with the plot or listen to the musical interlude (yuck!). Worth seeing if you like Bs--and not a bad time-passer for the rest of the folks.

Mild thriller of business partners (Stevens and Rush) who after becoming shipwrecked agree to swap identities in order to catch the killer of Rush's father, when he sends Stevens home in his place after ten years abroad. Complicating matters is the childhood sweetheart (Chandler) with whom both men are enamoured.

Lang is the most assured of the cast, as the family's wily counsel; a leering gaze at a swimsuit beauty (Linden) - "I never strain my eyes enjoying nature" - cements his two-toned characterisation, but it's Stevens in the lead role that carries the picture. He's measured in his nervous reluctance to pull off the ruse, recognising the character's frailties and concerns for his safety while trying to uncover a conspiracy and corner a cold-blooded murderer.

Despite an elaborate plot, the climax and conclusion seem rushed and out of tempo, as if they were almost improvised to meet budget or schedule. Notwithstanding, the dialogue is delivered with a natural ease while the sets and exteriors add a little more texture than usual for its vintage. At 64 minutes short, it's not great, but it's not bad.