I'm beginning to find that the poison dart must have been quite popular in early mystery films. This is at least the fourth such movie I've seen. This one involves one of these darts cheating the hangman. A convicted murderer is about to enter the death chamber when he collapses. There are news people and an array of characters in the room, so one of them must have done it. After that it's the usual stuff. There is the aggressive young female reporter who would rather be married than continue her career. She gets in a bit over he head, of course, and sets things on edge. This is better than most. The acting is fine, there are some famous character actors, and the movie has a sense of humor. You can tell the production value is pretty good. If you don't think too much you can sit back and enjoy this like a bad TV show.

This entertaining mystery is a remake of "The Devil's Mate" (1933) starring the delectable Peggy Shannon. While she had the main role in the earlier version, in this film the emphasis shifts to the versatile Ricardo Cortez.A number of people from different walks of life gather to see the execution of Nicholas Ross (Ralf Harolde), but pandemonium breaks loose when he is murdered on his way to the chair!!! Just moments before, he has delivered a speech in which he is about to name his partner in crime. Anyone of the group could be guilty - but who??? Roger Phillips (Ricardo Cortez), from the DA's office, is on the spot and starts to solve it by requesting that everyone remove their clothes!!! Roth was killed by a poisoned dart and Phillips thinks whoever killed him may have the weapon hidden on his person. After interviewing each person, he is still no closer to solving the crime so a re-enactment takes place. Laning (Harry Holman), an elderly grocer from Roth's home town, fondly remembers Nick as a boy when "the only racket he knew about then was a tennis raquet". In a scheme to find the real killer Phillips places Laning under arrest.Phillip's girlfriend, Geri (Joan Woodbury), is running her own investigation and tracks down Verne Drake (a particularly lovely Iris Adrian) - she remembers a phone conversation Nick had that he was particularly keen on keeping quiet. She also remembers part of the number -1313. Reed (Gavin Gordon) is the person he was talking to and Verne confronts him about a loan of $5,000 that he owes her. When Verne takes him to town to get the money, she dies under suspicious circumstances. Honking the horn to scatter some pedestrians, she collapses at the wheel, poisoned by a dart hidden in the horn. Reed pleads innocent!!!!As the hunt for the murderer narrows the film employs a three way split screen as Phillips realises who the real murderer is!!! You always knew what to expect from Ralf Harolde - villainy, and the slimier the better. Although never a big star, in 1937, he was involved in a car accident that resulted in the death of his friend, Monroe Owsley (another actor who excelled in oily villains). He left films and when he returned, gaunt and with his hair completely white, it was shown that the stress of the accident had taken it's toll. George Breakston is memorable as the young crime reading receptionist. George Pembroke continues his portrayal of sinister types (he was extremely scary in "The Last Alarm" (1940) He plays Lowell King. John Hamilton, who became familiar as Perry White in the TV series Superman, plays the D.A.Recommended.

An interesting whodunit set in a prison conference room. A convicted murderer is set for his execution in the electric chair and is given a chance for a last statement after remaining mum during his incarceration. Before he can reveal the name of who placed him in jeopardy he drops dead in front of a room full of reporters and law enforcers and experts. Now one of the witnesses is a murderer, but who? This low-budget thriller is effective in sustaining interest and offers some surprises. Directed by Phil Rosen for Monogram Studios. I KILLED THAT MAN stars strong B-picture stars like: Ricardo Cortez, Joan Woodbury, George Pembroke, Iris Adrian and John Hamilton.

This is a mystery with elements of comedy. It also has (minor) noir elements and a romantic touch.Ricardo Cortez is excellent in the lead. We begin as a man is about to be put to death in prison. The press and the law are there, as well as a few others who like to observe executions.Things do not go as planned. And Cortez tries to solve the mystery right on the spot. That doesn't work. His girlfriend, reporter Joan Woodbury, gets involved. Iris Adrian is, as always, effective as a moll.This sort of thing continued to be standard fare at Warner Brothers till the mid-forties. Interestingly, Monogram does it even better here. The list of players boasts only Cortez as a box-office name. But it's cast in a clever and entertaining manner and neatly directed by Phil Rosen.