The House of Secrets (1936)

Sadly Over-hyped

Pretty Good

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

Based on one of the stories by Sydney Horler, this one takes a while to get going. Twelve minutes in, and we finally figure out what's going on.... there's something shady going on at this estate, and the rightful owner is run off "his own property", according to him, Barry Wilding (Leslie Fenton). He bumps into Julie (Muriel Evans), who warns Barry against confronting the squatters at the estate. All so mysterious. The only name I recognize in here is Sidney Blackmer, who had appeared in so many films. so just WHAT is going on at that estate? the rightful owner is SO patient.... letting people live there, and do whatever the heck they are doing! meh. skip this one. who cares. showing on moonlight movies channel. yawn....

"House of Secrets" is a B-movie--a film with a very limited budget and minor actors that was meant as a second, 'lesser', film on a double-bill. Most Bs are a few notches below A-pictures in quality, but there are also quite a few that are nifty entertainment. Well, unfortunately, this is NOT one of those nifty pieces of entertainment! While the film is pleasant enough viewing, those who have seen a lot of Bs and mystery films will recognize practically every cliché from the genre in this one film! Plus, on top of this, the plot is so very contrived that you can't help but giggle now and then--even though this is supposed to be a drama!! The film begins with a woman being bothered by a man on a boat crossing the English Channel. He recognizes her from some sort of compromising situation and tries to force himself on her. At that moment, the hero of the story sees this and intervenes--slugging the filthy blighter. Good show, old man! Pip-pip and all that rot! Then, the hero announces that he now loves this woman--a woman he met only 20 seconds before--making you assume he's had a massive head trauma. Then, after arriving in England, his path just happens to cross hers again and again when he inherits some property. There's of course more to it than this--but not much! With silly script ideas like love at first sight and the like, you simply are left with the impression the film was either written by some 11 year-olds or the film makers were idiots. Either way, it doesn't look very good and is a pretty silly little film.

Sailing from the United States to London, chivalrous Leslie Fenton (as Barry Wilding) saves pretty Muriel Evans (as Julie Kenmore) from the advances of brutish Matty Kemp. The lady is grateful, but rejects Mr. Fenton's more mannered advances. After debarking, Fenton learns he has inherited a deceased uncle's estate. But, when he visits his mansion, Fenton is chased off the property, by interloping inhabitants. Surprisingly, Ms. Evans (the woman he saved on the ship) is among the uninvited tenants. During the running time, you go from wondering what's happening in "The House of Secrets", to indifference. Fenton and a good cast, including pal Sidney Blackmer (as Tom Starr), try to keep it simmering.**** The House of Secrets (10/28/36) Roland D. Reed ~ Leslie Fenton, Muriel Evans, Sidney Blackmer

Leslie Fenton's most famous role (apart from being married to Ann Dvorak) was as "Nails" Nathan the dapper gangster in "The Public Enemy". Shortly after appearing in "House of Secrets" he took to directing and directed a few good westerns.Barry (Leslie Fenton) is sight seeing in London when he gets a call from a lawyer. He finds he has inherited an estate from an uncle he never knew he had. When he goes to look it over, he is set upon by dogs, a disgruntled groundsman and a man with a gun. Julie (Muriel Evans) is also there - coming over on the boat, Barry gets into a fight with a chap who is pestering Miss Kenmore. She comes to his rooms to tell him that the man with the gun is her father, although she didn't know anything about buying the house (Barry has had an offer and the lawyer, oddly, has urged him to sell and leave the country!). Barry's friend Tom Starr (Sidney Blackmer), a detective, has found part of a parchment message he gives to Barry. The crooks have the other half!!Julie won't tell Barry what's going on, her father appears to be mixed up in it and there is a mad uncle that needs particular medication. Even Scotland Yard is against him.The secret is not particularly exciting (the confrontation on the boat between Julie and the crook has a clue in it) but the film is okay.