A Disappointing Continuation

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

Midnight Shadow (1939) ** (out of 4) Margaret Wilson (Frances Redd) has a couple men wanting her affections but after her father shows off an oil well to them, he's murdered. Now the two men are suspects so the daughter hires a private detective to figure out who the killer is.MIDNIGHT SHADOW stands out because of its all black cast but sadly outside of this there's really nothing too special here. This film follows the "old dark house" theme that ran thought hundreds of films from this period but the majority of the horror elements are watered down in favor of the detective story, which is obviously watered down even more by the attempt at laughter. As with many films, this one goes for laughs as the detective and his assistant share insults and comic falls but this doesn't really work.I was surprised to see how good the majority of the lead performances were. This includes Redd who was quite believable in the role of the daughter. There are some weak performances to be found in smaller parts but nothing too damaging to the film. I also thought the actual mystery was well-done and at least keeps you guessing a little. MIDNIGHT SHADOW is a fair thriller that will mainly appeal to those wanting to see an example of an all black cast.

Comedy mystery with an all-black cast (not pertaining to rugby), with the daughter of a wealthy landowner (Redd) being wooed by the charismatic but suspicious circus mentalist and apparent sub-continent royal heir (Criner), before her father is murdered and deeds to an oil-rich plot of land stolen during the night. Two bumbling detectives join forces with the police to catch the killer whom they believe will attempt to cash-in the stolen land deed, employing their unique brand of detective skills to solve the mystery and claim the kudos.Swiftly told tale suffers for its amateurish acting (many times do the cast appear to lose character and look off-stage for direction), but also a curiously erratic narrative that never settles whether it's comedy or mystery. Perhaps it's both, and if so, it's a period piece in which the only recognisable face (to me) was Ruby Daindridge in a minor supporting role playing the mother of a bookish novice detective (Bates) who looks and behaves like the Chris Rock of his era.Classified as a "race" film, it might be worth seeking if you're a film historian, but there's little else to recommend it to mainstream audiences, with a poorly conceived plot, some truly abominable acting and at times, painfully laboured dialogue.

The only thing that keeps this movie watchable is the handsome Edward Brandon who played Buster Barnett. Edward Brandon isn't the star of this movie or anything, his scenes are few but steals every scene he's in and basically steals the movie. Edward was a fine actor, he only appeared in one other film "Harlem on the Prairie" and that seems to be lost. I'm surprised nothing came of Edward Brandon, I've seen a lot of Black actors and a lot of "black cast films" but Edward stands out, I haven't seen many have such a strong screen presence and talent. I wish he could of did more films. Edward plays Buster, a soft, push-around kind of man, who's girl is leaving him for manly Prince, Buster spies on them and then becomes a suspect in the murder of his girlfriend's father. The scene that Edward Brandon steals the movie is when the Detective drills him, Buster breaks down and pleads for his life, you've never seen much great acting and emotion in a black cast film, and you never seen men have as much emotion in Hollywood. Edward becomes a stronger man by the end of the film. Edward Brandon to me is a very fine actor, his emotions, gestures, good timing, becoming his character full fledged, knowing the right mood makes him exceptionally the best. He did more in his few scenes than the stars. I'm surprised no one discovered him or made him more of a bigger star. It's obvious he learned acting from somewhere but Black Cinema was so few and between for black actors especially but I am grateful for what he did do. Would love to know more about this actor. If it wasn't for Hollywood's ignorance and the world's, Edward could of been a big success in Hollywood, he could of been up there with one of the greatest actors and one of the most handsome. Why not? But, if your not homely and uncle tomish you can't succeed in Hollywood in those days. I haven't seen an Hollywood film yet that an actor showed such emotion and moved me, and make my jaw-drop like Edward. Did I mention Edward Brandon was handsome and a melting heart smile? Frances Redd is pretty and graceful. Buck Woods and Richard Bates are good as a comedy team. Jess Lee Brooks is great as always as Detective Ramsey. Ollie Ann Robinson and Clinton Rosemond are good as the parents. George Randol wrote and directed this movie, he was a pioneer in Black Cinema involved with some great movies. I admit there should of been some nightclub scene or music, Black Cinema never goes wrong there. It took me a few times to watch this movie, now that I understand it more I like it. Most Black Cinema movies didn't have a lot to work with but they did good with the little they had. This isn't the best but watchable if you want to see unsung talents.

Whoever wrote this mystery must have shrunk from embarrassment. You will notice there is no screenwriter in the credits, not even an uncredited one. After a reasonable start, including the suspense of having an intruder enter the bedroom of an elderly sleeping couple, the movie goes downhill rapidly. And it has one of the most anticlimactic endings for a mystery I have ever seen. I would like to say you may enjoy the comedy, but I can't. There is a limit of ineptness beyond which a character comes off just stupid rather than funny. Richard Bates plays this kind of a character. He dresses in a Sherlock Holmes hat and pipe and looks for fingerprints with his magnifying glass. Except he looks everywhere except at the crime scene. That's the level of comedy in this movie. His partner, Buck Woods, isn't quite as stupid, but comes close. Their comedy relief was really bad. About the only thing I liked was seeing Ruby Dandridge (the mother of Dorothy Dandridge) in her first film. There was no musical entertainment in the film, quite unusual for a "race" film made for black audiences, since that was often a staple of such films.