The Case of the Black Cat (Warner Bros.) (1936)

VAS A R N ECE (Lead-Off Story) Strand Books Baffling New Mystery Film One of the most baffling of all the Erle Stanley Gardner murder mystery dramas, “The Case of the Black Cat,” has been pic turized by First National, and COMMA? COMUNE owe es oe Theatre OOS GRE NE CAE ,» with Ricardo Cortez and June Travis in the leading roles. One of the unusual features of the plot of this highly involved drama is that while detectives are trying to solve the supposed murder of one man, the “dead” person himself commits a murder, and still another slaying is perpetrated by a couple to cover up what they believe to be their crime in “killing” the first man. The crimes are all the outgrowth of a family quarrel over the estate of an eccentric millionaire while he is still alive, and later the disappearance of a million dollars’ worth of securities, and diamonds. Three grandchildren are the beneficiaries of an early will, but a later one cuts off one of them without a cent. Provision also is made for the crippled caretaker and his eat. It is the marks of the muddy paws of a cat on a dead man’s chest that ultimately lead tothe solution of the crimes by Perry Mason, the astute lawyer-detective, known to every lover of mystery dramas. A new and compelling Perry Mason unravels the mystery in the person of Ricardo Cortez. New also is June Travis in the role of his smart, wise-cracking seeretary, Della Street. Jane Bryan plays the love interest with Carlyle Moore, Jr., as her sweetheart. Craig Reynolds and Gordon Elliott, portray the girl’s cousins who inherit the fortune. They are suspected of the crimes. A First National Picture Now a Sleuth Ricardo Cortez becomes “Perry Mason,” world famous crook catcher in “‘The Case of the Black Cat,” the First National picturization of Erle Stanley Gardner’s latest murder mystery which comes to the-___.......__MRCOG e= ON oe eee hs 8 é Mat No. 101—10c Nedda Harrigan who is the millionaire’s nurse and the sweetheart of one of his grandsons, is also one of the suspects. George Rosener is the crippled caretaker whose half-wild cat, Clinker, plays such an important part in the crimes and their solution. Others in the cast are Harry Davenport, Gary Owen, Gordon Hart, Clarence Wilson, Guy Usher, Lottie Williams, Harry Hayden, Milton Kibbee and John Sheehan. William MeGann directed the picture from the screen play by F. Hugh Herbert. It is the consensus of opinion among readers of murder mysteries that “The Case of the Black Cat” is one of the most sensational thrillers of the present generation. (Opening Day Story) Murder Mystery Thriller Coming to Strand Today “The Case of the Black Cat,” the latest of the First National picturized versions of the Erle Stanley Gardner’s mystery thrillCLS COMES, LONG. bcm hts Ane Theatre today, with Ricardo Cortéz in the role of the famous lawyer-detective, Perry Mason, and June Travis as Della Street, his secretary. There are murders galore—one of an eccentric millionaire’s nurse, one of his caretaker who owns a mad cat—and a third for good measure. Six persons are under suspicion, two of whom kill themselves. The six suspects include Jane Bryan, granddaughter of the millionaire, Craig Reynolds and Gordon Elliott, his grandsons, Nedda Harrigan, his nurse, George Rosener, the family caretaker and Carlyle Moore, Jr., the sweetheart of the millionaire’s granddaughter. Later the nurse and the earetaker are slain under strange circumstances, and after Perry Mason has proved that the first murder was a hoax, four persons are suspected of the actual killings. The plot is baffling and the thrilling climax comes in a courtroom at a sensational trial. Others in the cast are Harry Davenport, Gary Owen, Gordon Hart, Clarence Wilson, Guy Usher, Lottie Williams, Harry Hayden, Milton Kibbee and John Sheehan. William McGann directed the picture from the screen play by F. Hugh Herbert. Mystery story addicts are respectfully asked to attend “The Case of the Black Cat” to prove to their satisfaction the claim of Erle Stanley Gardner fans that it is the most unique and puzzling story yet written by the master of murder mystery. CAMPAIG (Review ) ‘‘Case Of The Black Cat’’ Baffling Mystery Drama Erle Stanley Gardner Outdoes Himself Giving Unique Twist to Melodrama Most baffling of all Erle Stanley Gardner murder mysteries is ‘‘The Case of the Black Cat,’’ the First National production, which held audiences fascinated at the SCE SME Se Se Theatre yesterday. The plot is most unusual in that the first ‘‘murder’’ is a hoax and the man supposed to be killed turns up at the trial of the man accused of slaying him, while two actual murders are committed as the result of the trick. Six persons are suspected by the police, all of whom are proved innocent. The real killers are exposed at the trial of an innocent man by Perry Mason, the astute lawyer-detective who invariably solves mysteries that the police are unable to fathom. Ricardo Cortez gives an unusually clever portrayal of Perry Mason as does June Travis as Della Street, his worldlywise secretary. Jane Bryan is lovely to look at and effective as the romantic granddaughter of the millionaire, who has been cut off by his latest will. Among the suspects are Craig Reynolds and Gordon Elliott, grandsons who are beneficiaries of the millionaire’s will; Carlyle Moore, Jr., sweetheart of the pretty granddaughter; Nedda Harrigan, the rich man’s nurse and George Rosener, the crippled caretaker of the family mansion. Excellent portrayals are also given by Gary Owen, Harry Davenport, Gordon Hart, Clarence Wilson, Guy Usher, Lottie Williams, Harry Hayden, Milton Kibbee and John Sheehan. William McGann, the director, has given the melodrama a fine feeling of mystery, holding the suspense to the smashing climax. The clever adaptation of the story was made by F. Hugh Herbert. June Travis June Travis featured with Ri cardo Cortez in “The Case of the Black Cat,” the First National picture now at the... Theatre. Mat No. 103—10c @ Country of origin U. S. A. Copyright 1936 Vitagrarh, Inc. All rights reserved. Copyright is waived to magazines and newspapers.