Ellery Queen's Penthouse Mystery (1941)

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Ralph Bellamy

Ellery Queen

Margaret Lindsay

Nikki Porter

Charley Grapewin

Inspector Richard Queen

Anna May Wong

Lois Ling

James Burke

Police Sergeant Velie

Eduardo Ciannelli

Count Brett
(as Edward Ciannelli)

Frank Albertson

Sanders

Ann Doran

Sheila Cobb

Noel Madison

Gordon Cobb

Charles Lane

Doc Prouty

Russell Hicks

Walsh

Tom Dugan

McGrath

Mantan Moreland

Roy

Theodore von Eltz

Jim Ritter

Jimmy Aubrey

Expressman

Edward Earle

Hotel Manager

George McKay

Morgue Wagon Attendant

Honorable Wu

Cobb's Servant

Director
- James P. Hogan
Writers
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

"What does a purse snatcher have to do with a missing father?"

A missing man coming to the States from China ends up dead in his trunk. Who's responsible and why did they do this? Well, Ellery Queen, his lady friend Nikki (Margaret Lindsay) and Ellery's dad all work together to try to put all the pieces together.

Over the years, many actors played Ellery Queen and I would have assumed that Ralph Bellamy would have been among the best. After all, he was a fine actor. But despite this, this film is just not very good. Much of it is because Ellery comes off like a grouchy know-it- all and much of it is because the script just isn't very good. And, the formulaic comedy within the film amazingly lame. So, despite an almost A-picture budget, the results are no better than a sub-par B.

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Trivia
This was the final film for Anna May Wong before her career was reduced to only two features, both for a poverty row studio, during the war years. It would be the end of the decade before she would appear in another feature film.

Quotes
Inspector Richard Queen: Well, when did you arrive here from China?
Lois Ling: I was born in New York. I've never been to China.
Inspector Richard Queen: No? Well, what were you doing here in the apartment?
Lois Ling: I refuse to answer that.
Inspector Richard Queen: Young lady, you're not in much of a position to refuse to answer anything.
Lois Ling: I insist on the privilege of counsel before I make any statements.
Police Sergeant Velie: That's a deluxe speech for a crook hollering for a mouthpiece.