The Ghost Walks (1934)

On a stormy night, a theatrical producer, his secretary, and playwright Prescott Ames are stranded when their car skids off the road and gets stuck. The three take refuge in the nearby home of Dr. Kent, a friend of Ames. One of Kent's patients, who is staying at the house, is acting strangely, and the others in the house tell the newcomers that she is behaving this way because it is the anniversary of her husband's murder. At dinner, the group begins exchanging accusations about the murder, when suddenly the lights go out, and soon afterwards comes the first in a series of mysterious and fearful events.

The Ghost Walks is a 1934 horror film, directed by Frank R. Strayer.  It stars John Miljan, June Collyer, Richard Carle and Johnny Arthur.  This is a neat little film if you're a fan of old movies from the 30's.  There's not really any supernatural forces at work here but is instead more of a whodunit movie.  The stand outs are easily Carle and Arthur.  Carle plays the theater producer who is constantly firing his obviously gay assistant, played by Arthur.  They are the comedy relief and steal the film.  

It's raining out here son.

Once the lights go out we get a bit of a twist in the story which in turn is followed by even more twists.  The story is routine at times but the unpredictability of the film keeps the viewer's attention.  Director Frank R. Strayer was an experienced craftsman in the Poverty row side of the film industry and this is one of his better offerings.  The largely unknown cast make the most of their characters.  They are given some pretty clever lines and they deliver.

It's not a classic of the genre but it's a nice little movie.  It clocks in at a little over an hour and is worth your time if you run across a copy.  

My assistant might like to try that on.