Very disappointing...

A different way of telling a story

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

I viewed this film online and though a bit stagey and creaky with the microphone and actors not moving too quickly it is a well done melodrama with a good story. Here comes plot line: Grumpy, a retired London criminal lawyer who lives on his country estate with his granddaughter, Virginia, is a witty and lovable, though temperamental, old man. Jarvis, one of Virginia's recent acquaintances, is their houseguest when Ernest Heron, Virginia's sweetheart, returns from South Africa as the secret bearer of a valuable diamond. That night, Ernest is attacked in the library and the diamond is stolen, the only clue being a camellia placed in his hand. Grumpy's sleuthing leads him to suspect Jarvis, and he follows him to London. There he is unable to sell the diamond to Berci, who learns that Jarvis is under suspicion. Terrified by Grumpy's visit to his apartment, Jarvis returns to the country to retrieve the camellia; faced with Grumpy's accusations, he returns the diamond and is arrested. Ernest and Virginia are left to their happiness as the old man grumbles off to bed.