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6.9/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.9/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Penguin Pool Murder remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Okay, so if you’re into those old, black-and-white mysteries with a bit of a quirky edge, then Penguin Pool Murder is absolutely worth a look. It’s a 1932 pre-Code flick that mixes murder with some genuinely charming banter. Folks who love classic Hollywood detectives or a good, twisty whodunit will probably get a kick out of it. If you need explosions or lightning-fast pacing, you might find it a bit slow. But for everyone else? It’s a fun, old-fashioned ride. 🐧
The whole thing kicks off at the New York Aquarium. A really unpleasant stockbroker named Gerald Parker, played by Clarence Wilson, ends up dead in the penguin pool. Not subtle, is it? He was one of those guys everyone seemed to hate, so there’s no shortage of suspects immediately.
Enter our main duo: Hildegarde Withers, a sharp-tongued, often exasperated schoolteacher played by the wonderful Edna May Oliver, and Inspector Oscar Piper, a weary but good-hearted cop, brought to life by James Gleason. Their dynamic is the real star here. She’s constantly correcting him, he’s constantly annoyed but secretly respects her. It’s a classic odd-couple pairing that just works.
You know, the aquarium setting is pretty cool. It’s not just a backdrop; they actually use it. The penguins themselves are mostly just… there, waddling around in the background, but the fish tanks and the general hustle of the place give it a neat, authentic vibe. There’s one shot where the camera kind of pans over the tank, and you can almost smell the fish.
The actual murder plot, about Parker being knocked out by his wife's secret boyfriend, is a bit convoluted. It’s less about airtight logic and more about the journey of Hildegarde and Piper trying to piece it together. There are red herrings galore, and some of them are quite flimsy when you really think about it. But that’s part of the charm, right?
Edna May Oliver, as Hildegarde, is just fantastic. Her delivery of lines is so dry and precise. She’s got this knack for making even a simple observation sound like a biting critique. She's the kind of character who would absolutely judge your choice of tie, and you’d just have to take it.
Piper, on the other hand, is the perfect foil. James Gleason plays him with this constant air of mild exasperation. He’s always a step behind Hildegarde, but he’s not stupid. He’s just… normal. Like when he’s trying to question a witness, and Hildegarde just jumps in and gets straight to the point. His eye-rolls are practically an art form. 😂
One scene that sticks out is when they’re interviewing some of the aquarium staff. There’s this one guy, the fish feeder or something, and he’s so flustered. Hildegarde just cuts through his rambling with a single, sharp question. It's not a huge plot point, but it shows her character so well.
The dialogue is often quite snappy. For a film from 1932, it holds up surprisingly well. You get these quick exchanges that feel very natural, not forced at all. It’s not witty in a modern screwball comedy way, but more in a smart, observational way. Like a good old novel come to life.
The pacing is… well, it’s 1932. Things move along, but don’t expect a rapid-fire succession of clues. There are moments where you just sit with the characters, watching them ponder or bicker. It gives the film a chance to breathe, which is nice sometimes. You really get to soak in the atmosphere.
There are a few moments that feel a little stretched. One character’s motive just doesn't quite land for me, even for the time period. It felt a bit like they needed another suspect, so they just threw one in. 🤷♀️ But it's easily forgivable given everything else.
The movie doesn’t take itself too seriously, which is a big plus. It's a murder mystery, sure, but there's a strong thread of humor running through it. The absurdity of the situation, the clashing personalities, it all adds up to a really enjoyable watch. It’s not a deep dive into the human psyche, and that’s perfectly fine.
It’s a neat glimpse into what passed for entertainment almost a hundred years ago. And it still works! You finish it feeling like you’ve spent an hour or so with some genuinely interesting characters, even if the killer wasn’t the biggest surprise in the world. Sometimes, the journey is just better than the destination, you know?
IMDb 8.3
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