There was a time when every major studio turned out "B" movies, 60 minute quickies to fill a double bill. "The Hidden Hand," for example. It features a group of credible, little-known actors (aside from Craig Stevens who had not yet played Peter Gunn) and keeps the budget slim by using only one set, a mysterious mansion where members of a greedy family gather to be knocked off. Why are there a pair of homicidal hands behind the painting in the living room? How come the carpet nearby hides a quick dip in a watery grave?? And how did the mistress of the manor get out of the crypt in which she was interred to plot the demise of her house guests? At least, the cast includes Milton Parsons who is either the funniest or scariest butler to escape an insane asylum. In short, a surprisingly entertaining throwback.

I think that in the past six months alone, I have watched at least 6 films and reviewed them that had the often told plot line of a family gathering where an aging relative expresses their displeasure over their family's greed and ends up being murdered for their honesty. In this film's storyline, there's a bit of an "Arsenic and Old Lace" twist with the presence of a crazy uncle (Milton Parsons) posing as the butler, never seen by his greedy nephews and their money-grubbing wives. Matriarch Cecil Cunningham (in one of her hammiest performances) plots to have herself put into a death-like trance to test them after she announces that her devoted secretary (Elizabeth Fraser) will inherit the majority of her estate. But a greedy doctor is ultimately tested and Cunningham is indeed buried alive inside the family crypt. Twists and turns in this plot line make it a fun programmer with a short running time and amusing dialog. Comical black actor Willie Best provides some of the film's funniest moments as a devoted servant, while psychotic Parsons' eyes alone also deliver both chills and chuckles. This may not be no "Old Dark House" in the realm of Hollywood classics, but for a plot that has been repeated probably 50-100 times, what results is a far cry better than most in this genre.

Boy oh boy, this was a howler with some of the worst over-acting you will ever see, and to me the highlight was the appearance of Willie Best as the chauffeur while the rest of the cast was abysmal in their acting talents. Made on a shoestring, and looking it, every little diabolical cliché was used, with the "insane" brother and sister planning on removing all the "hangers-on" after their fortune. Seems longer than it was, but I did see it on late night TV, and maybe I was overtired. If it comes your way, and you decide to have a look, at least stay there for the scene where our two "stars" jointly break into maniacal laughter - the best part of the movie.

Possibly my comments won't fit with other viewers' comments as I saw this film in 1942 when it was issued, and I was 7 years old.As a 7 year old I found it scary, interesting, and sometimes comic.I realize 62 years later the film would probably not frighten me now in the least. I think the story was original. Milton Parsons I remember well. His funereal manner was fascinating and his appearance is vivid in my memory. I remember him as a good little cameo actor from the 1940s, as well as one unfortunate, Rondo Hatton, who was not an actor but appeared as a monster due to his acromegaly. Bring back the films of the 1940s and early 1950s!