Ever-delightful George Zucco, that great genre character-star of the Golden Age of Hollywood, is front and centre in this zippy, enjoyable PRC programmer. He plays Amos Bradford, the proprietor of an inn near the U.S. / Canada border whose side business is smuggling criminals across the border. A disparate group of individuals - a milquetoast embezzler (Byron Foulger), a racketeer (Noel Madison), a couple (Robert Livingston, Wanda McKay) attempting to elope, her big shot politician father (Robert Middlemass), and others - gather for an eventful night of murder (during a terrible rain storm, naturally) at Zuccos' establishment.This is actually quite fun, and it does keep you on your toes regarding the mystery aspect of the story (written by Fred Myton); since there are a few shady types hanging around, and there is more than one motive for wanting the first victim out of the way, the viewer doesn't automatically focus on one character. A strong sense of humour also helps matters a lot, with Amos coming off as a very unflappable and sardonic man, who has a genuine interest in figuring out whodunit. Much of the comedy relief is provided by none other than Glenn Strange, who plays Amos' excitable, bumbling assistant, and he's pretty amusing. Overall, the cast is good. Also appearing are Charles Middleton as a humourless Sheriff and top character actor I. Stanford Jolley as the slimy prison escapee Whitey Cole."The Black Raven" has solid atmosphere, an excellent pace (clocking in at BARELY over an hour long), and a bittersweet wrap-up. It's good fun for any fan of thrillers and horror films from this era.Seven out of 10.

Old dark house mystery from poverty row studio PRC starring George Zucco as a guy who runs a hotel on the American side of the Canadian border, where he helps criminals flee the country. One dark and stormy night a group of strangers stop at the hotel to wait out the bad weather. Then a crooked politician with connections to several people in the group shows up and promptly gets himself murdered.You had me at George Zucco, PRC. This is an enjoyable little B movie with a decent cast. In addition to the always terrific George Zucco, the cast includes Byron Foulger, Noel Madison, Wanda McKay, Charles Middleton, and Glenn Strange as Zucco's simpleminded sidekick. It's cheaply made and the story isn't particularly original, but it's just an hour so it won't kill you to give it a shot.

The Black Raven is both the name of an Inn near the Canadian border and it is the underworld nickname of its owner George Zucco. At one time a kingpin racketeer Zucco now is retired and owns this rural hideaway which some of his associates use when they're fleeing the country.On one dark and stormy night when a local bridge washes out, several unexpected guests arrive including political boss Robert Middlemass hot on the heels of his daughter Wanda McKay who is eloping with Robert Livingston in one of his few non-western roles. Middlemass is the first of several murders that night before Sheriff Charles Middleton gets it all solved by a dying confession and the elimination of a few cast members.Although this is a typical PRC poverty row product as always George Zucco exudes menace and keeps this film moving along nicely. Might be worth a look.

This is the sort of film that is more of a stage play, meant to showcase talents of up and comers in schools and community theaters.It is a basic mystery in a secluded area, with shady characters to serve as suspects, including a cliché young hero and heroine. Unfortunately, the romance is gone from this one, as the pair already are engaged before we meet them. Instead of the romantic older film plot of boy meets girl, it is the modern movie plot of boy already has girl. We know the modern movie anti-romance plot is because movies are often viewed by couples who already met. The industry today is based on placating the already decided couple instead of single men.So the movie has the "atmosphere" elements of the old stage play mystery mixed with modern commercialism.The comic relief character is usually what makes these movies watchable, and here "Andy" does a credible job of comic relief. He is both engaging and entertaining. He helps to make the movie flow.The story flows much better than most such movies, particularly the modern ones. There isn't anything memorable, just good popcorn and soda fun.