Best movie ever!

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.

The second highly enjoyable British Edgar Wallace adaptation I've seen in recent weeks, following on from the exemplary Dark Eyes of London. THE CASE OF THE FRIGHTENED LADY is more of a traditional old dark house style mystery, in which a young woman is being assailed by mysterious goings-on in a rambling old ancestral pile, leading the police to investigate.There's little to dislike about this oft-filmed tale, which takes all of the clichés and somehow breathes life and vigour into them. Where THE CASE OF THE FRIGHTENED LADY particularly excels is in the efforts of the cast members, many of whom give fine performances, particularly those in support.Marius Goring is fine as the likable heir, attempting to get to the bottom of the mystery; George Merritt matches him as the dogged detective. Felix Aylmer plays the mysterious family friend and Helen Haye the scheming mother. Penelope Dudley-Ward is the titular character and slightly weaker, but she doesn't really have much screen time anyway. The best two actors in the film are Ronald Shiner, who adds hilarious comic relief as the wisecracking sergeant, and Roy Emerton as the delightfully sinister manservant, complete with glass eye and stern demeanour.For fans of old mystery flicks this has it all: secret passages, inexplicable murders, shadowy figures, strangulations, dark pasts, familial secrets, confuddled detectives, a dark and oppressive atmosphere, and plenty more besides. It's a delight.

It is easy to be put off - and mislead - by the first 10 minutes of this wonderful and unusual subtle film. Stiff and haughty Lady Lebanon (Helen Haye), severe mistress of all she surveys, commands one and all. Just a slight first hint that all might not be as it appears is given by the distinct insolence and knowingness of the two footmen. But it is insufficient to disturb the viewer's impression of stifling stuffiness to which the arrival of family doctor (Dr Amersham played by Felix Aylmer - epitome of dull probity) would seem to confirm.But Helen Haye's brief dialogue with Dr Amersham is very off kilter. Within five more minutes the pace and tone has suddenly stepped up, the film has changed gear entirely; lively and amusing, secrets and odd connections, enough for three or four films, are revealed, any one of which sufficient on its own to drive the plot, even to murder. The air is full of intrigue and possibilities. A handsome young architect arrives to draw up plans for renovation of the rambling ancient house and has caught the eye of the young lady of the house. He will have to stay a week. "Where does this lead to?" asks the sharp-eyed architect after spying an ancient door. "Where does it all lead to?" wonders the audience. By 60 minutes the developing droll class-comedy between policeman Ronald Shiner and his boss had me laughing out loud and the plot developments came at a bafflingly faster and faster pace. The end itself was an extended nail-biter.According to a review in BritMovie "The Case of the Frightened Lady" remains a classic for those who enjoy this genre".Seen on Talking Pictures

This Edgar Wallace mystery got two versions of which this is the second one. In addition one for experimental television was also made of The Case Of The Frightened Lady.The case is set in Mark's Priory the ancestral estate of the Lebanons who apparently down through the years have had a habit of marrying their cousins. Right down to today the Dowager Lady Lebanon Helen Haye wants another cousin Penelope Dudley Ward to marry her son Marius Goring the current Lord Lebanon. But she's got eyes for architect Patrick Barr who is visiting the estate to make renovations.Ward is the frightened lady of the title. For some reason she's got some bad vibes about the place and the people that inhabit it. But she's practically being kept a prisoner. That will change when the family chauffeur who seems to be one of the few normal people on the place is murdered. All signs point to a disgraced doctor Felix Aylmer who has a strange hold on the Lebanon family. Then he gets murdered and Scotland Yard is once again starting from scratch.Haye is some piece of work. She's so desperate to have Ward marry Goring that she's even willing to overlook a lot to get Ward to marry Goring and continue the family line.This is a good murder mystery as only the English can do them. It all leads up to a shocking climax where one of the principals steps way out of character or more like takes off a mask.

Penelope Dudley-Ward (Isla) is the frightened lady of the title. From the first shots of the film when she screams at the shadows that are following her in the house, you can't help but laugh and fear for your oncoming experience. It doesn't say much when the comedy detectives are the best thing about the film. It is woefully acted by all the main players who deliver their lines in that clipped English which is just plain fake – the word "exactly" becomes "exectly" – it's just nonsense. The film does keep you watching to see how things pan out but it ends just as badly as it started with some laughably crass dialogue being spouted by the appalling Helen Haye (Lady Lebanon) accompanied by a hysterical closing head shot of her. It's not meant to be funny, though. A nice, spooky venue is wasted in this badly acted effort.