Murder on a Honeymoon
Encyclopedia
Murder on a Honeymoon is a mystery film
starring Edna May Oliver
and James Gleason
. This was the third and last time Oliver portrayed astute schoolteacher Hildegarde Withers
, who in this film witnesses the death of an airplane passenger. The film was based on the novel The Puzzle of the Pepper Tree by Stuart Palmer
.
off the California coast, a passenger on a seaplane calling himself Roswell T. Forrest (Brooks Benedict) gets sick. Hildegarde Withers and the others aboard are startled when he is found dead upon landing. It appears to be murder to Miss Withers, but she has a tough time convincing local Police Chief Britt (Spencer Charters
) and coroner Dr. O'Rourke (Arthur Hoyt
).
When she contacts her friend, Police Inspector Oscar Piper (James Gleason
), for more information about the deceased, he recognizes the name: the man was a vital witness in a case against a crime syndicate and had a price on his head of $10,000. He flies from New York to assist her in investigating the case.
When he arrives, the pair argue over which of the people aboard the plane is the killer:
Withers suspects poisoning (Forrest had been given a drink, a cigarette, and even a dose of smelling salts
by Withers herself), but before this can be confirmed, the body is stolen. While Piper questions those involved, she discovers that McArthur (Morgan Wallace
), the gangster who had offered the reward for Forrest's death, has registered at the hotel under the flimsy alias of Arthur Mack. When she eavesdrops on his telephone conversation, she learns that he will be leaving an envelope for someone. She purloins it from the mailbox and finds $10,000 inside.
More murders occur. Marvin Deving is shot and killed just before he can reveal some information to Piper. Meanwhile, Withers and Piper learn that the first victim was not Forrest, but his bodyguard Tom Kelsey. He and the real Forrest (George Meeker
) had switched identities. McArthur is also found dead. Though it is staged to look like a suicide, Withers notices that the pistol in his hand is not his own (he had earlier threatened her with his weapon).
When an employee complains that the fish in the hotel pool are all dead, Withers finds a pack of cigarettes discarded nearby; one of the cigarettes had fallen into the water. With the murder weapon found, all the pieces come together. Withers takes Piper to see the grieving Kay. She offers the widow a cigarette, then casually mentions where she got it. When Kay refuses to smoke it, Withers tells Piper that McArthur's gun must be in the room. Kay pulls it out and tells them that she will have to kill them both now, but Withers manages to distract her, enabling Piper to disarm her. It turns out that the Devings thought they had been doublecrossed by McArthur when they did not receive their reward (unaware that Withers had taken it). When Marvin tried to betray McArthur in return, he was killed by his employer. Kay then did in McArthur.
Mystery film
Mystery film is a sub-genre of the more general category of crime film and at times the thriller genre. It focuses on the efforts of the detective, private investigator or amateur sleuth to solve the mysterious circumstances of a crime by means of clues, investigation, and clever deduction.The...
starring Edna May Oliver
Edna May Oliver
Edna May Oliver was an American stage and film actress. During the 1930s, she was one of the best-known character actresses in American films, often playing tart-tongued spinsters.-Early life:...
and James Gleason
James Gleason
James Austin Gleason was an American actor born in New York City. He was also a playwright and screenwriter.-Career:...
. This was the third and last time Oliver portrayed astute schoolteacher Hildegarde Withers
Hildegarde Withers
Hildegarde Withers is a fictional character who appeared in several films and novels. She was created by Stuart Palmer.Miss Withers "whom the census enumerator had recently listed as 'spinster, born Boston, age thirty-nine, occupation school teacher'" becomes an amateur sleuthin the first book of...
, who in this film witnesses the death of an airplane passenger. The film was based on the novel The Puzzle of the Pepper Tree by Stuart Palmer
Stuart Palmer
Stuart Palmer was a popular mystery novel author and screenwriter, best known for his character Hildegarde Withers.Palmer was born in Baraboo, Wisconsin...
.
Plot
On a short flight to Catalina IslandSanta Catalina Island, California
Santa Catalina Island, often called Catalina Island, or just Catalina, is a rocky island off the coast of the U.S. state of California. The island is long and across at its greatest width. The island is located about south-southwest of Los Angeles, California. The highest point on the island is...
off the California coast, a passenger on a seaplane calling himself Roswell T. Forrest (Brooks Benedict) gets sick. Hildegarde Withers and the others aboard are startled when he is found dead upon landing. It appears to be murder to Miss Withers, but she has a tough time convincing local Police Chief Britt (Spencer Charters
Spencer Charters
Spencer Charters was an American film actor. He appeared in over 220 films between 1920 and 1943.He was born in Duncannon, Pennsylvania, and died in Hollywood, California by suicide, from a mix of sleeping pills and carbon monoxide poisoning.His first stage work soon after leaving school was a...
) and coroner Dr. O'Rourke (Arthur Hoyt
Arthur Hoyt
Arthur Hoyt was an American film character actor who appeared in more than 275 films in his 34 year film career, about a third of them silent films. He was a brother of Harry O...
).
When she contacts her friend, Police Inspector Oscar Piper (James Gleason
James Gleason
James Austin Gleason was an American actor born in New York City. He was also a playwright and screenwriter.-Career:...
), for more information about the deceased, he recognizes the name: the man was a vital witness in a case against a crime syndicate and had a price on his head of $10,000. He flies from New York to assist her in investigating the case.
When he arrives, the pair argue over which of the people aboard the plane is the killer:
- Joseph B. Tate (Leo G. CarrollLeo G. CarrollLeo Gratten Carroll was an English-born actor. He was best known for his roles in several Hitchcock films and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and Topper.-Early life:...
), a famous Hollywood director - struggling actress Phyllis La Font (Lola Lane), who is angling for a part in Tate's next movie
- honeymooners Kay (Dorothy Libaire) and Marvin Deving (Harry Ellerbe)
- Captain Beegle (DeWitt JenningsDeWitt JenningsDeWitt Clarke Jennings was an American film actor. He appeared in 153 films between 1915 and 1937.-Biography:...
), a retired, self-confessed former rum runner and - pilots Dick French (Chick Chandler) and Madden (Matt McHughMatt McHughMatt McHugh was an American film actor who appeared in over 200 films between 1931 and 1955, primarily in small parts.-Career:...
).
Withers suspects poisoning (Forrest had been given a drink, a cigarette, and even a dose of smelling salts
Smelling salts
Smelling salts, also known as spirit of hartshorn or sal volatile, are chemical compounds used for arousing consciousness. The usual active compound is ammonium carbonate, a colorless-to-white, crystalline solid...
by Withers herself), but before this can be confirmed, the body is stolen. While Piper questions those involved, she discovers that McArthur (Morgan Wallace
Morgan Wallace
Morgan Wallace , was an American actor. He appeared in 28 films between 1914 and 1946, including It's a Gift and My Little Chickadee starring W.C. Fields and Mae West....
), the gangster who had offered the reward for Forrest's death, has registered at the hotel under the flimsy alias of Arthur Mack. When she eavesdrops on his telephone conversation, she learns that he will be leaving an envelope for someone. She purloins it from the mailbox and finds $10,000 inside.
More murders occur. Marvin Deving is shot and killed just before he can reveal some information to Piper. Meanwhile, Withers and Piper learn that the first victim was not Forrest, but his bodyguard Tom Kelsey. He and the real Forrest (George Meeker
George Meeker
George Meeker was an American character movie and Broadway actor who became more of a legend off-camera than on. Meeker made several movies such as Crime Inc. , and Thief in the Dark and played an uncredited part in All Through the Night .Meeker has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.-External...
) had switched identities. McArthur is also found dead. Though it is staged to look like a suicide, Withers notices that the pistol in his hand is not his own (he had earlier threatened her with his weapon).
When an employee complains that the fish in the hotel pool are all dead, Withers finds a pack of cigarettes discarded nearby; one of the cigarettes had fallen into the water. With the murder weapon found, all the pieces come together. Withers takes Piper to see the grieving Kay. She offers the widow a cigarette, then casually mentions where she got it. When Kay refuses to smoke it, Withers tells Piper that McArthur's gun must be in the room. Kay pulls it out and tells them that she will have to kill them both now, but Withers manages to distract her, enabling Piper to disarm her. It turns out that the Devings thought they had been doublecrossed by McArthur when they did not receive their reward (unaware that Withers had taken it). When Marvin tried to betray McArthur in return, he was killed by his employer. Kay then did in McArthur.
Cast
- Edna May OliverEdna May OliverEdna May Oliver was an American stage and film actress. During the 1930s, she was one of the best-known character actresses in American films, often playing tart-tongued spinsters.-Early life:...
as Hildegarde Withers - James GleasonJames GleasonJames Austin Gleason was an American actor born in New York City. He was also a playwright and screenwriter.-Career:...
as Inspector Oscar Piper - Lola Lane as Phyllis La Font
- George MeekerGeorge MeekerGeorge Meeker was an American character movie and Broadway actor who became more of a legend off-camera than on. Meeker made several movies such as Crime Inc. , and Thief in the Dark and played an uncredited part in All Through the Night .Meeker has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.-External...
as Tom Kelsey / Roswell T. Forrest - Dorothy Libaire as Kay Deving
- Harry Ellerbe as Marvin Deving
- Chick Chandler as Pilot Dick French
- Willie BestWillie BestWilliam "Willie" Best sometimes known as Sleep n' Eat was an American television and film actor....
as Willie, the porter (as Sleep n’ Eat) - Leo G. CarrollLeo G. CarrollLeo Gratten Carroll was an English-born actor. He was best known for his roles in several Hitchcock films and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and Topper.-Early life:...
as Director Joseph B. Tate - DeWitt JenningsDeWitt JenningsDeWitt Clarke Jennings was an American film actor. He appeared in 153 films between 1915 and 1937.-Biography:...
as Captain Beegle - Spencer ChartersSpencer ChartersSpencer Charters was an American film actor. He appeared in over 220 films between 1920 and 1943.He was born in Duncannon, Pennsylvania, and died in Hollywood, California by suicide, from a mix of sleeping pills and carbon monoxide poisoning.His first stage work soon after leaving school was a...
as Chief Britt - Arthur HoytArthur HoytArthur Hoyt was an American film character actor who appeared in more than 275 films in his 34 year film career, about a third of them silent films. He was a brother of Harry O...
as Dr. O'Rourke - Matt McHughMatt McHughMatt McHugh was an American film actor who appeared in over 200 films between 1931 and 1955, primarily in small parts.-Career:...
as Pilot Madden - Morgan WallaceMorgan WallaceMorgan Wallace , was an American actor. He appeared in 28 films between 1914 and 1946, including It's a Gift and My Little Chickadee starring W.C. Fields and Mae West....
as McArthur aka Arthur Mack - Brooks Benedict as Roswell T. Forrest