Le sphinx

I am a sitter for any early Monogram picture, especially pre 1934 and this one delivers with solid production values and a genuinely interesting story. No wonder Herbert Yates wanted to absorb them together with serials studio Mascot and make Republic Pictures into a strong production house in 1935. Warners star Atwill really is scary and the revelation in the last reel causes a real yelp for the viewer. See this along with THE 13TH GUEST or even MYSTERY LINER and see why smart little Monogram emerged as a force to be considered in this early part of the 30s. If anyone has seen other films from this period like KING KELLY OF THE USA or GIRL OF THE LIMBERLOST they will recognise a well intentioned film company on the rise.

This is an ingenious and interesting B thriller. The 'sphinx' is a deaf mute, who is, to say the least, extraordinarily enigmatic. (No Egyptian connection! Not a pyramid in sight!) Lionel Atwill plays 'the sphinx' and makes the part very compelling. The mystery is: how can this man who, the doctors say, has been deaf and mute from birth, be a psychopathic murderer who always speaks to the witnesses of his crimes? This takes a lot of figuring out. He is tried and acquitted of murder, natch. But is there more to this? The ingenue role is played by Sheila Terry, who is extremely lively and is very like Fay Wray but without the steamy sensuous air about her. Her eyes sparkle, one wants to go on watching her, and it is a pity she quit films early and died aged only 46. (Here she is 23.) A young fellow of considerable charm is always trying to get her to marry him, played very well by Theodore Newton. Luis Alberni plays an amusing character part. This is a cheapie but a goodie.

Jerome Breen (Lionel Atwill) is accused of murder after being identified by an eye witness. However, the witness says Breen spoke. At the trial, Breen's attorney proves he is a deaf mute and the witness' testimony falls apart. So now the police must figure out if Breen really is guilty or being framed.

This is a fun little quickie from poverty row studio Monogram. It's best if you don't overthink it or look at it exclusively through a modern lens. It was made on the cheap in the early 1930s. Yes, the sign language Atwill uses is just meaningless hand gestures. This was back in the days when the public was probably largely unaware of sign language and it was highly unlikely a studio, especially one like Monogram, would expect its actors to learn some just for a part. Just enjoy it for what it is: a fun but cheap little mystery thriller with the always-great Lionel Atwill starring.

The bad guy in this is so much better than all the other characters combined. This is odd because he barely speaks a word. Lionel Atwill's expressions and posturing are pretty remarkable. He is killing off stockbrokers who wouldn't go along with his wishes. In the process, he must cover his tracks. By speaking to someone at the crime scenes, he confuses the law enforcement people. The plot is basically a young writer trying to prove that Breen (Atwill) is the guilty party. His love interest, a reporter, is doing a series of stories on this benevolent deaf mute. She is in constant danger and is too bullheaded to listen to anyone's advice. This movie kept me guessing throughout and was a lot of fun. There are some stereotypically incompetent police there to poke fun at. They have allowed these stock brokers to get killed and can't seem to figure anything out. But it comes to a nice boil with some surprises, and keeps the audience guessing, even if the ending is a bit unsatisfying.

There is something chilling about Lionel Atwill in this movie. With out saying nary a word he manages to make you want to crawl out of your skin. The plot of a mute man on trial for a murder committed by a killer who spoke is filled with pitfalls and possibilities. The film avoids most of the former while finding many of the latter in telling a very good story.

But above it all is Atwill who manages to keep you in suspense to the very end, milking the fact that he can't use that magnificent voice of his for any effects what so ever. Its like stripping a great singer of their voice and then still having them convey the emotion of the music by gestures alone.

No its not perfect, there are bits that have dated slightly, for example the sign language is silly, but its still a good thriller with a great performance at its center.

7 out of 10