James Gleason gets top billing in this Hildegarde Withers movie, the fifth in RKO’s series, in which Zasu Pitts takes over the role of the spinster detective, and it’s easy to see why. His performance as Inspector Oscar Piper is polished and fun, and this time around, he’s the one who brings the investigation to a successful conclusion. The movie rather stresses the comic ability of Zasu Pitts, so that though her character contributes to solving the mystery, she’s not miles ahead of Inspector Piper. The story piles twist on twist and keeps heaping up additional information, as a wealthy man’s murder produces an abundance of suspects, so that the title is a good one for what goes on.

  Mildly recommended. Otto judiciously thinks this movie is OK, but not great.

Movie 79 for 2021.