A lot of mystery movies came out in the 30's and early 40's which were not in the film noir tradition that flourished in the later 40's and beyond. This 1941 movie may be among the last in the who-dun-it style which featured an attractive couple, an amateur sleuth, sawdust headed cops, comic relief by an assistant to the main character, and a genuine puzzle. Here, the puzzle is also "how-dun-it." There is always an assortment of likely suspects, and always a least likely villain. Well, the elements are all here, and the lead actors are pleasant and nice to look at although neither of them became "A" list stars. Very much a time filler to watch, better than some, but not as good as STAR OF MIDNIGHT, say, or some of the Charlie Chan films of the same era. There are always loose ends in these movies, and I highlight just two of them below in a SPOILER QUERY.SPOILER QUERY: So how did the two victims of the Parrot actually find the secret murder method and how did they restore things before dying when death was instantaneous? Also, did the villain actually get away with the swag at the end when captured and taken out the door by the cops? No one mentions the real motive for the murders as the villain is captured, apparently holding on to the booty.

I struck it rich on this one, figuring it out only minutes into the film, still unsure of my accuracy to the film's revelation, yet not proved wrong, which I usually am in these types of mysteries. But I still had a good time in spite of my certainty, becoming engrossed in the tale of a serial jewel robber, which leads to murder, a suspicious butler (with Bela Lugosi like eyes) and a hoity toity countess, as well as a dresser with several hidden compartments, one of which has a deadly surprise.The film doesn't pretend to be anything more than a standard programmer mystery, totally unpretentious in its presentation, and filled with delightfully witty dialog and the pleasure of watching a reporter (William Lundigan) solving the mystery rather than the cops. Eddie Foy Jr. ("The Pajama Game", "Bells are Ringing", narrator of the Bob Hope starred story of his famous father's life) takes over the part usually essayed by Allen Jenkins, and Maris Wrixon proves herself to be an acceptable heroine. Plenty of red herrings abound to keep you guessing if you might be wrong too, but you may find yourself figuring it out early in the game.

...not great. The premise of a stolen antique is somewhat different for this low budget war-era mystery. Could have been better, but the leading man is too stiff and the murders come too late despite the fast pace. Worth it only to see some ingenious means of death by furniture and to learn why the name of the criminal is the Black Parrot.

Fast-paced mystery programmer that times in at exactly one hour, this one doesn't give you any time to grow bored, as a piece of forged Chinese furniture turns out to be real. Eddie Foy Jr. is great as the fast-talking sidekick and the plot veers in unexpected direction. William Lundigan is earnest and stiff as always, but even the butler speaks fast in this one.