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The Penguin Pool Murder

Play trailer Poster for The Penguin Pool Murder 1932 1h 10m Mystery & Thriller Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 3 Reviews 68% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
New York schoolmarm Hildegarde Withers (Edna May Oliver) assists a detective (James Gleason) with an aquarium corpse.

Critics Reviews

View All (3) Critics Reviews
David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...a palpably (and often aggressively) generic murder mystery... Rated: 1/4 Jul 23, 2023 Full Review 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 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Most engaging crime detective narrative. Rated: A Sep 25, 2010 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (7) audience reviews
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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Audience Member good B movie mystery-RKO style. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Penguin Pool Murder

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Cast & Crew

Movie Info

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