Accused (1936): A Dusty Backstage Mystery with Nowhere to Go

Is it worth your time?

If you like old British mysteries where everyone talks in clipped, theatrical tones, you might get a kick out of Accused. It’s not exactly gripping, though. If you prefer your murder mysteries to have a bit of grit or actual tension, you’re going to find this one pretty snoozy.

The whole thing feels like it’s being performed in a shoebox. Everything is very tidy and very staged.

The Setup

We start with this dance team, Tony and Gaby. They do this apache dance thing where he gets stabbed with a knife. It’s their gimmick. It’s honestly the most interesting part of the first twenty minutes. Once the actual murder happens, the movie shifts gears into a standard 'find the real killer' slog.

Poor Yvette Delange is the victim. She’s the big star who is clearly past her prime. They make sure you know this by having her wear way too much makeup. It’s a bit sad, really.

Odd Little Moments

There is a lot of standing around in hallways. The suspects are all lined up in that way movies from the thirties loved. You’ve got the disgruntled assistant, the jealous chorus girl, and the producer who is just trying to get the show open.

I couldn't help but think about how much more fun the circus dynamics in Freaks were compared to this stuffy theater environment. At least in that film, the discomfort felt real. Here, it’s just people frowning at each other near velvet curtains.

• The knife-throwing choreography is surprisingly decent for 1936.
• The dialogue is so stiff you could use it to build a deck.
• Someone tell the concierge to stop looking so suspicious for five seconds.

One scene lingers on a conversation about the murder weapon that lasts roughly three lifetimes. You can practically hear the clock ticking on the wall behind the actors. It’s the kind of pacing that makes you want to check your phone, but since it’s 1936, you’re just stuck there waiting for someone to say something interesting.

Douglas Fairbanks Jr. is trying his best, I’ll give him that. He brings a bit of energy to a room full of statues. But even he can't save the script from being completely predictable.

Final Thoughts

It’s a harmless movie. It doesn’t try to be anything it isn’t. It’s just a bit thin, like a cup of tea that’s been watered down twice. If you’re a completist for these types of black-and-white mysteries, go for it. Otherwise, you’re not missing much by skipping it. 🕵️‍♂️