Who Killed Aunt Maggie?

Who Killed Aunt Maggie? is a 1940 film directed by Arthur Lubin and starring John Hubbard and Wendy Barrie.[1][2]

Who Killed Aunt Maggie?
Directed byArthur Lubin
Produced byAlbert J. Cohen
Written byStuart Palmer
Based onnovel by Medora Field
StarringJohn Hubbard
Wendy Barrie
Music byCy Feuer
CinematographyReggie Lanning
Production
company
Distributed byRepublic Pictures
Release date
1 November 1940
Running time
70 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

Radio mystery script writer Sally Ambler is about to be married, then gets into a quarrel with her intended Kirk Pierce after he finds the story she wrote too contrived. The wedding is put off when a telegram from her Aunt Maggie arrives from Atlanta to let Sally know that her Uncle Charlie has died.

Sally is followed to Atlanta after a phone call from a Dr. Benedict warns Kirk of danger lurking for Sally when she gets there. Sally discovers that her uncle's corpse is missing and he might have been murdered. Sally is the sole heir after Aunt Maggie is strangled, and her cousin Eve ends up dead as well after finding a secret room.

A cache of priceless jade jewelry is involved as it is revealed how Dr. Benedict has been behind the plot. After he is apprehended just in time, Sally and Kirk return home, then begin arguing again during their wedding ceremony over what kind of mystery plot is too unbelievable.

Cast

Production

The film was based on a novel by Medora Field, who worked for the Atlanta Journal Sunday Magazine. it was published in 1939 and became a best seller.[3]

Film rights were bought by Republic in 1940.[4] Stewart Palmer was assigned to write the script in June 1940.[5] The studio briefly considered renaming the film Belle of Atlanta before reverting back to the book's title.[6] The cast and crew were set by late August with John Hubbard borrowed from Hal Roach.[7] Filming was completed by September.[8]

In 1943 Republic bought the screen rights to Fields' second book Blood On Her Shoe.[9]

Reception

The Los Angeles Times called it "one of those good, old time mystery thrillers."[10]

References
  1. Who Killed Aunt Maggie? Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 8, Iss. 85, (Jan 1, 1941): 20
  2. Vagg, Stephen (14 September 2019). "The Cinema of Arthur Lubin". Diabolique Magazine.
  3. Best Sellers of the Week Here and Elsewhere New York Times 11 Sep 1939: 15.
  4. Books and Authors New York Times 11 Aug 1940: 75.
  5. SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOOD New York Times 17 June 1940: 19.
  6. SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOOD New York Times 27 Aug 1940: 17
  7. Daisy Mae Role Goes to Martha O'Driscoll Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times 30 Aug 1940: A10.
  8. Lynn Bari Will Reach Stardom in 'Cristobal' Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 19 Sep 1940: 13.
  9. SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOOD New York Times 23 Jan 1943: 17.
  10. Eerie Film Entertains Scott, John L. Los Angeles Times 25 Oct 1940: A10.
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