Murder on a Honeymoon (1935)

People are voting emotionally.

A bit overrated, but still an amazing film

Just intense enough to provide a much-needed diversion, just lightweight enough to make you forget about it soon after it’s over. It’s not exactly “good,” per se, but it does what it sets out to do in terms of putting us on edge, which makes it … successful?

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

Murder on a Honeymoon is directed by Lloyd Corrigan and adapted to screenplay by Robert Benchley and Seton I. Miller from the novel The Puzzle of the Pepper Tree written by Stuart Palmer. It stars Edna May Oliver, James Gleason, Lola Lane and George Meeker. Music is by Alberto Colombo and cinematography by Nick Musuraca.During a flight to Catalina Island a passenger falls sick and dies. Hildegard Withers (Oliver) smells a rat but has trouble convincing the authorities that murder is evident. Help is on the way, though, in the shape of Hildegard's side-kick, Inspector Oscar Piper (Gleason).The third and last outing for Oliver as fun crime solver Hildegard Withers, Murder on a Honeymoon gets in and does a grand job for entertainment purpose. The by-play between Oliver and Gleason is very precious, harking back to a cinematic time when actors attacked their roles with brio, and here the actors are helped by having humourist Benchley at the writing table. The mystery element is strong, and this even though we only have a small group of suspects, while the big reveal is a genuine surprise as the plot twists into crafty avenues.Phsyical froth meets murder mystery shenanigans. Nice. 7/10

This, and Penguin Pool Murder, are just plain fun and pleasant. Both are well written, surprisingly well photographed and edited. As I get older, I like less drama and more mystery, and more characters. Not a bad format for a TV mystery, like a light-hearted Columbo.I did not have an appreciation of James Gleason until viewing these two. He is often a minor character actor as is Edna May Oliver (sometimes Mae). Both fare very well as lead actors. It was fun to see a younger Leo G Carroll.These old movies give one a glimpse of early 1930's America, although perhaps an inaccurate one (it was Depression time). Murder on a Honeymoon shows Catalina Island offshore of Los Angeles in 1935 and of travel/commute by seaplane. It hasn't changed much except that the seaplanes are gone.

***SPOIERS*** Best of the trio of movies involving school teacher detective Hildegarde Wither that happens when she's on vacation at California's Catalina island. It's when vacationer Roswell Forrset is found dead on the plane carrying Hildegarde and a number of other vacationers to Catalina that foul; play is suspected by her. The other passengers on the plane newlyweds Marvin & Kay Deving together with old rummy Capt. Beegle aspiring actress Phyllis La Font and movie director Joseph Tate, as well as Hildegarde, are all suspected in Forrest's murder! Since they were the last persons with him at the time of his death!What makes Forrest's sudden death even more mysterious is that he was supposed to be a witness back in New York City against the Mob who have put out a $10,000.00 reward on his head for anyone who knocks him off! This has New York Police inspector Oscar Piper fly to Catalina to help in finding Forrest's murderer. As you would expect Piper makes thing worse then they already are in him mostly suspecting the wrong persons who were involved in Forrest's murder.It's Hildegarde who by risking her life who uncovers the real reason why Forrest was killed and the person or persons who murdered him. This after Hildegarde uncovered a secret post office box containing $10,000.00 that was to be paid to Forrest's killer! Of course with Hildegarde getting her hands on the payoff money before Forrest's killer did it lead to both him and the person who was to pay him off ending up dead in thinking each double crossed each other. ***SPOILERS*** It was in Hildegarde finding the murder weapon a pack of poison cigarettes in Forrest's murder that broke the case wide open. Sliping the death joint on whom she suspected is the killer had him, or her, completely lose it. Pulling out the gun that was used in murdering the payoff man more then sealed the killers fate. As well as a straight right to the kisser by by inspector Piper who got there just in time to save Hildegarde as well as himself from becoming the killers next victims!

Edna May Oliver returns as the indomitable schoolteacher/sleuth Hildegarde Withers. Even while on vacation in California she has no trouble in finding murders to solve.Miss Edna May is again quite wonderful to watch. This was her third & final outing as Withers - she would soon be leaving RKO for MGM and other memorable roles there. James Gleason is back as her New York City detective boyfriend. Comic relief is provided by Willie Best.The movie is enhanced considerably by location filming at Avalon, on Santa Catalina Island. The huge Casino, which dominates the Avalon waterfront, provides a spooky scene or two.