Boring, over-political, tech fuzed mess

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

***SPOILERS*** Going to the "Red Rock Tavern" to get married private detective Jimmy Kelly, Wallace Ford, and his fiancée Marjorie Burns, Barbara Pepper, get involved with a number of murders that occur there. The killer seems to be a half bred, wolf/dog, German Shepard who ends up ripping his victims throat's out. It's later that Jimmy found out that someone was killing a number of the guests at the "Haunted Tavern" and using a fake dog head or mask in doing his ghastly work!We start to get the picture that all these murders are being done in revenge for something the victims did a number of years ago. That's in their work as illegal diamond smugglers and the reason they all got telegrams from their killer to meet at the tavern in order for him or her to murder them! As for the other people who happen to be there, like Jimmy & Marjorie, their just collateral damage as far as the killer is concerned.By the time the killer is revealed all the people in the tavern are locked in the basement with the by now identified killer about to pull the string or switch that would blow or gas them, in the makeshift gas chamber that he constructed, to death. It's then when in explaining why he was doing all this he goes completely mad in feeling he's about to achieve his objective, killing everyone there, and drops his guard. That's when Jimmy Kelly finding a way out of the death or gas chamber gets to him, as well as the police, to put an end to his madness.What really stands out in the movie is the mysterious killer's reasons for murdering his victims and even more astounding the way he acted when finally revealing himself. As mad as a hatter and crazy as a junkie high on LSD his actions were far more comical then murderous. It's like this was his big chance, as a actor, to strut his stuff and be convincing but instead have him falling flat on his face and looking ridicules in doing it!

First of all, this seems like a film from 1930, not 1936. It is creakier than the floors of those abandoned houses in the country I used to explore as a kid. It also has a plot that had been done better even in the creakiest of silents and with much better scripts. Even the Tod Slaughter grand guignole melodramas of the British cinema were far more interesting than this. The cast isn't bad, but the material they are given is preposterous. Joan Woodbury is interesting as a card reader, while Barbara Pepper (best known as Mrs. Ziffel on "Green Acres") comes off alright, although at times the changes in photographic angles makes her look like a different character. Poor Clara Kimball Young has probably one of the hammiest moments in films like this; She went all of a sudden from subtlety to acting that reminded me of Dwight Frye in "Dracula". There are more red herrings in this film than any other that aren't even remotely intelligent. The appearance of the inventor in the spooky glasses at the end is one of them that just comes out of left field. Remember Truman Capote's tirade in "Murder By Death" about the characteristics of the famous mystery writer's books that he hated? Well, they are all here. In the film's credit, there are some great angles here and there of the camera looking down on the characters showing their horror of their impending fate, but it's not enough to hide the ridiculousness of the methods the killer uses and its revelation. For the actual killer to utilize the method of killing used, it would take a great deal more strength than that person has. Otherwise, it's more of a Shari Lewis puppet show. You'll see what I mean if you watch this film, which is fortunately short enough to get through. Stick with "The Old Dark House" and a few others (like "The Cat and the Canary", and even PRC's "Fog Island") which are much more interesting than this.

"A collection of travelers has gathered at the 'Red Rock Tavern', an old hotel, during a thunderstorm. All arriving for different reasons, the group is suddenly drawn together by the murder of one of the guests. Two store detectives staying at the hotel try to solve the case as other bodies turn up and the terror increases with each passing moment," according to the DVD sleeve's synopsis.An eclectic cast makes this "old dark house" variation fairly entertaining, albeit structurally flawed. The leading man and woman are "store detectives" Wallace Ford (as Jimmy Kelly) and Barbara Pepper (as Marjorie Burns). But, the real treat is seeing former silent film superstar Clara Kimball Young (as Mrs. Jamison), in one of her more meaty later year roles. The matronly Ms. Young was one of the biggest stars in films during 1913-1919, and she still has her way with the camera.***** The Rogues Tavern (1936) Robert F. Hill ~ Wallace Ford, Barbara Pepper, Clara Kimball Young

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.