The Penguin Pool Murder

1932

1h 10m

Mystery & Thriller

Comedy

List

Reviews

68%

Audience Score

100+ Ratings

New York schoolmarm Hildegarde Withers (Edna May Oliver) assists a detective (James Gleason) with an aquarium corpse.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a palpably (and often aggressively) generic murder mystery...

Rated: 1/4

Jul 23, 2023

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Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

The mystery that follows is good enough without being particularly dazzling, but that's less the selling point than the clever characters, the unusual leads, and the bright dialogue.

Rated: 4.5/5

Oct 2, 2013

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Most engaging crime detective narrative.

Rated: A

Sep 25, 2010

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David L

What it lacks in suspense it makes up for with charm. Edna May Oliver and James Gleason make an engaging couple in this 1932 pre-code mystery that takes place in the New York Aquarium. If you are looking for a mystery with an engaging puzzle, this isn't for you. For lovers of old-fashioned frivolity, this is a nice way to spend an hour of you time.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/30/23

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Audience Member

Edna May Oliver carries this film on her shoulders. Her personality makes this film what it is. With her, it becomes interesting and you follow it. But you can't imagine this being done with anyone else.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

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ashley h

Penguin Pool Murder is an engaging film. It is about abusive husband Gerald Parker who is found dead in the penguin pool of a NYC aquarium. Edna May Oliver and Robert Armstrong give excellent performances. The screenplay is well written. George Archainbaud did a great job directing this movie. I enjoyed watching this motion picture because of the drama and humor. Penguin Pool Murder is a must see.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

It can feel a bit like a stage play murder mystery given the lacks of locations for this film, but the dominant personality of Edna May Oliver in her Hildegard character carries this film and investigation.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

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Audience Member

Edna May Oliver as Hildegarde Withers, the schoolteacher/sleuth is a gas! I love these old movies.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

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Audience Member

good B movie mystery-RKO style.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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George Archainbaud

Director

Edna May Oliver

Miss Hildegarde Martha Withers

James Gleason

Police Inspector Oscar Piper

Mae Clarke

Gwen Parker

Robert Armstrong

Lawyer Barry Costello

Donald Cook

Philip Seymour

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Synopsis

New York schoolmarm Hildegarde Withers (Edna May Oliver) assists a detective (James Gleason) with an aquarium corpse.

Director: George Archainbaud
Production Co: RKO Radio Pictures Inc.
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Comedy
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 10m