Multi-millionaire Charley Grapewin is having some friends and relations over to dinner and says that he's going to give them all an advance inheritance, a nice million dollar check for all. His beloved granddaughter there's been no word of.Well wouldn't you know it, not only does she show up, but there are two women claiming to be her. That cancels the inheritance, but girl number one Evelyn Knapp is killed in a rather exotic way. Girl number 2 Mary Carlisle is still in the running, but so are such friends and relations as Regis Toomey, Lucien Littlefield, Hedda Hopper and a few more familiar faces.Mascot Pictures shot this one on petty cash. But a lot of good character players get to do their shtick in this rather interesting satire on murder mystery film.One Frightened Night is night is an interesting B film that might be worth a viewing.

"An aging eccentric millionaire gathers his heirs and informs them that he intends to give his fortune to his granddaughter, if she appears before midnight, otherwise the five of them will split the estate. Two women arrive claiming to be the long-lost granddaughter, which upsets all of the other relatives. When one of the women ends up dead, suspicion falls upon everyone who potentially would benefit form the elimination of the other heirs," according to the DVD sleeve's synopsis.For the umpteenth time, a group of interconnecting people gather at a spooky mansion, hope to collect a fortune, and become murder victims (or suspects) - it's a very familiar plot. But, "One Frightened Night" manages to always seem cleverer than it is. Director Christy Cabanne, who was often hired to keep thing moving, does just that, while managing to throw in some of the flair he more often neglected. It's nice to see an older actor, Charley Grapewin (as Jasper Wythe), taking the lead; and, the rest of the cast circumvents him well.***** One Frightened Night (1935) Christy Cabanne ~ Charley Grapewin, Mary Carlisle, Wallace Ford

"One Frightened Night" is the story of an old man who invites his relatives to come to dinner and discuss his will. He tells them that if his granddaughter is found, she will get all of his money, but if she is not, he will divide it amongst the guests. Well, the granddaughter arrives in the nick of time, however, then another young woman shows up claiming to be the granddaughter. When the first young woman is found dead in her bedroom, a classic murder mystery ensues. This is one of the less known murder-mysteries of the 30's, but it is still very good. The plot has twist and turns and interesting characters that will keep you entertained. If you happen to come across this one, I highly recommend this obscure little whodunit gem! Not Rated, but should be suitable for people 10 years old and upGrade: B+

As Old Dark House movies go, it's not bad. It has the intriguing plot of having a group of no goods, needing money, having it given to them by the old rich man, and then having it plucked away. A murder is committed and then all the fun starts. There are secret closets and passages. There are dumb policemen and their partners. There are suspects all over the place. There's the guy who was Dorothy's uncle in "The Wizard of Oz." We never know who to suspect. I have to admit that I felt sorry for some of the people who were going to get the money and then were aced out by a young woman, the granddaughter of the old man. I felt the housekeeper got a raw deal since she is treated pretty shabbily throughout. Even when we find out who did it, it's a little disappointing. The fun was "not" knowing. Nevertheless, there's lots of action and enough humor to make it fun. It's better than most of its ilk.