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The 9th Guest follows a group of eight guests invited at a mysterious party by an unknown host. As they settle in, they are informed that they are part of a deadly game which will result in the death of each of them. Is the ninth guest "death" itself? or is "death" within one of them?
I've always said that one of the best things of this monthly challenge is to stumble upon films I probably wouldn't have stumbled any other way. I think this is one of those cases, and the fact that the film ended up being a pleasant surprise makes it all the more, well, pleasant.
With a simple premise and a brief runtime of 65 minutes, The 9th Guest is a breezy and entertaining "whodunit" that manages to keep you guessing until the end. Most of the characters are colorful and well-delineated, even if some of their introductions feel a bit scattered. Edward Ellis and Hardie Albright are probably the top scene stealers of the bunch.
Unfortunately, the two characters that end up being the leads are a bit on the bland side, and the revelation of who's behind the game feels a bit convoluted. Despite that, for most of its brief duration, I enjoyed being another guest at this party.
Grade:
THE 9TH GUEST
(1934, Neill)
A film with the number 9 (Nine, Ninth, etc.) in its title
(1934, Neill)
A film with the number 9 (Nine, Ninth, etc.) in its title
"You are about to meet my guest of honour: the ninth guest... his name is Death."
The 9th Guest follows a group of eight guests invited at a mysterious party by an unknown host. As they settle in, they are informed that they are part of a deadly game which will result in the death of each of them. Is the ninth guest "death" itself? or is "death" within one of them?
I've always said that one of the best things of this monthly challenge is to stumble upon films I probably wouldn't have stumbled any other way. I think this is one of those cases, and the fact that the film ended up being a pleasant surprise makes it all the more, well, pleasant.
With a simple premise and a brief runtime of 65 minutes, The 9th Guest is a breezy and entertaining "whodunit" that manages to keep you guessing until the end. Most of the characters are colorful and well-delineated, even if some of their introductions feel a bit scattered. Edward Ellis and Hardie Albright are probably the top scene stealers of the bunch.
Unfortunately, the two characters that end up being the leads are a bit on the bland side, and the revelation of who's behind the game feels a bit convoluted. Despite that, for most of its brief duration, I enjoyed being another guest at this party.
Grade: