The Rogues' Tavern (1936)

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

Weak plot, uninspired staging coupled with erratic performances and dumb dialogue (pretty much every time Woodbury opens her mouth, no offence intended to Woodbury herself) result in a dull and dreary mystery concerning a group of shady characters lured to a remote inn by an unknown assailant who has plans to pick them off, one by one. Detective and wife-to-be duo (the likable Ford and Pepper) find themselves unwittingly part of the conspiracy, and try to piece together the who-dunnit.Clichéd and unimaginative, it's not awful, but it lacks suspense and atmosphere, while the plot is pretty thin on detail. Ford seems assured and he has some of the better dialogue with Pepper, as is sidekick, while the sultry Woodbury as a clairvoyant unfortunately receives no such favours from her puerile doomsday prophecies ("we're all doomed, I can sense it", "I knew this would happen" etc etc) and those 'look of terror' cut-aways that are consistently about twenty-four frames too long.It's not quite the old dark house cliché as one reviewer alluded, but there is a surprise ending and an unusual murder weapon featured. Unlikely to cause any palpitations, but it's only 68 minutes of your time, all the same.

A nice film for a dark and stormy night. If of course you are willing to squeeze and eye or two shut regarding some shortcomings. The premises is simple- a young couple about to get married arrive at an isolated hotel. There they find various other people who for some reason or another have also gotten there just recently. One by one however people start getting killed and an almost wed detective takes up the case to solve the mystery before he too becomes a victim. This is a classic mystery well suited for a dark and stormy evening or another similar occasion. There is mystery, there is horror and there are thrills and the concept of the film is excellent. However it is the dated execution that hinders this film from reaching the heights it could have reached. The acting is quite wooden and things that are supposed to be said secretly and discreetly are presented loud and with excellent articulation as if in a theater. The plot could have been a little better developed and have played more on the "whodunit" angle. However if you are willing to overlook these shortcomings, then this is still a rather enjoyable film.

Here we are again. In an old dark house (hotel, tavern, inn), where a group of jewel robbers are hiding out. A detective and his not-so-dumb blond fiancée show up to meet a justice of the peace. Meanwhile a murder is committed. A throat torn out, supposedly by a wolf-dog, who generally is tethered outside the tavern. There is a lot of byplay, with even an invalid man coming under suspicion. Others begin to get bumped off as well. People come and go. Suspicious characters and policemen and a cast of several investigate. Make sure you think of everyone as a suspect. There is pretty good humor and a little slapstick. The detective is so dense, it makes you wonder if he could find his hat in a closet. He doesn't listen to anyone, but at times seems pretty lucid. Anyway, there is nothing new or remarkable about this film, but it is fun and the conclusion is worth the wait.

Dancing around the code a couple of Store detectives shop up at a tavern on a dark and stormy night looking for a justice of the peace to marry them. Unfortunately for them the Justice hasn't arrived but a hotel full of people have, as has a murderer.This is a good is a tiny bit slow (Due more to lack of music than plotting)thriller. This is a movie that for a while operates like Ten Little Indians as several of the guests are killed by a wolf dog, or so we are to believe.The mystery is thick and its not entirely fair however the dialog is snappy and a joy to listen to. There are sliding panels and weird happenings and everything you could want from an old dark house mystery.No its not perfect but it is fun.If you get the chance watch it, preferably on a dark and stormy night....when the wolves are howling outside....