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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 67% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
New York schoolmarm Hildegarde Withers (Edna May Oliver) assists a detective (James Gleason) with an aquarium corpse.

Critics Reviews

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David Nusair Reel Film Reviews 07/23/2023
1/4
...a palpably (and often aggressively) generic murder mystery... Go to Full Review
Ken Hanke Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) 10/02/2013
4.5/5
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. Go to Full Review
Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 09/25/2010
A
Most engaging crime detective narrative. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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David L 08/30/2023 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. See more 04/10/2019 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. See more ashley h @ashleyhobgood87 12/27/2015 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. See more 10/30/2013 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. See more 12/01/2012 Edna May Oliver as Hildegarde Withers, the schoolteacher/sleuth is a gas! I love these old movies. See more 10/01/2012 good B movie mystery-RKO style. See more Read all reviews
The Penguin Pool Murder

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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