After radio writer Sally Ambler (Wendy Barrie) quarrels with her fiancé Kirk Pierce (John Hubbard) because he finds her latest script too fantastic, she ends up heading home in response to a telegram from her Aunt Maggie (Elizabeth Patterson). The death of Sally’s uncle (and just how he died is uncertain) is followed by clear murder, and Sally and Kirk, who has followed her to patch things up, soon find an uncanny resemblance between the contrivances in Sally’s script and the situation in which they find themselves. Wendy Barrie makes an appealing lead, and Hubbard is OK as well, while the development of the story maintains the viewer’s interest.

The screenplay was by Stuart Palmer (author of the Hildegarde Withers novels), with additional dialogue by Frank Gill, Jr., and Hal Fimberg, based on the novel by Medora Field. Coachwhip Publications has reprinted Field’s two mysteries, including Who Killed Aunt Maggie? Based on the movie, I’m inclined to pick up the book and give it a go, though a summary of the novel’s plot suggests some substantial differences as well.

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

Movie 144 for 2021.