DARK AND STORMY NIGHT

This movie is a total blast!! It helps if you’ve had some experience in watching some of the old haunted house comedy films with folks like Jack Haley, The Ritz Brothers or Kay Kyser & Ish Kabibble. However, it is still enjoyable even if you are too young to be aware of what’s being parodied.

Larry Blamire, and his wonderful regular troupe of performers hit this one right outta the ballpark. Mr. Blamire, who scripted, produced and directed the movie, has a keen ear for 1930’s film dialogue. His stars, Daniel Roebuck and Jennifer Blaire (the real-life Mrs. Blamire), have absolutely nailed the screwball banter that were prevalent in films of this type way back when. It’s a pleasure to listen to even though you may have to go back several times to the scene before you can catch it all. This really is a tribute to how well they play off each other with the tough guy/tough-as-nails-broad, side-of-the-mouth type of verbal combat.

Surprise appearances are made by Marvin Kaplan and H.M. Wynant, whom I remember from a lot of 1960s TV westerns and mob bosses in crime shows of the same era. Susan McConnell is held back until the climax of the film, but when she cuts loose she’s certainly a wonder to behold. Watch out or you will laugh over her dialogue and miss what she’s saying.

The premise of the movie surrounds the reading of a will and the events that follow over the course of one night. That’s really all you need to know.

It was filmed in black and white, but there is a color version available to see in the extras on the disc.

Without hesitation I recommend this wholeheartedly. It’s family friendly, too; even the outtakes are bleeped, so no worries there.

This movie was released on DVD along with Mr. Blamire’s “The Lost Skeleton Returns Again”, the sequel to “The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra”. I don’t have yet TLSRA, even though I ordered both films at the same time, but watch this space for a review of it when I do get it.

Thanks, Larry, for the terrific, fun films you make – long may you continue to do so. And please keep those lovable oddball Blamireplayers as well.

Can be ordered online at shoutfactory.com.