malgat I missed the opening titles of this movie and did not realize it was a Monogram picture.The first few minutes showed great promise, but when the police arrived after the criminal commission, the movie collapsed into the giant abyss of failure.The script has to be the worst ever, accompanied by equally bad acting.The agony was excruciating.Wanting to determine the identity of the 13th guest, I stuck it out for the duration, knowing it was only an hour long.Alas, the mystery prevails.But then, what more could be expected.

Michael O'Keefe A little moody with an atmosphere accentuated with shadows. This mystery is based on a novel by Armitage Trail and directed by William Beaudine. This mystery from Monogram is definitely a cut above the typical B-movie of the early 40's. Family and friends wait for 13 years to hear a will to be read. Where there is the thought of money; murder is one solution of getting greed out of the way and getting one step closer to a possible fortune. A wisecracking Dick Purcell is aided by bumbling Frank Faylen in the investigation of dirty deeds going on. Helen Parrish actually carries the movie reprising the role played by Ginger Rogers in 1932. Thirteen guests in a dimly lighted mansion and plenty of suspense. Other players include: John Duncan, Cyril Ring, Addison Richards, Tim Ryan and Jacqueline Dalya.

jhumlong The Mystery of the 13th Guest is a not a typical example of the 40's Monogram pictures productions. This one outshines most of the typical "B" trappings they produced in the early 40's. 13th Guest made the most out of the typical wartime budget's and dimly lighted set versions that Monogram made famous. The female lead, Helen Parrish made it special because she was very uder-rated to say the least. She carries the film and adds some really good action to an otherwise typical haunted house movie. She reprises the Ginger Rogers role of 1932 and adds flare and style to the character. Dick Purcel is great as the wisecracking reporter. He died soon after the film was released and it was ashame as they really sparked together. I have not seen the film on tv since the late 40's and won't either. Most of the Monograms features were struck on celuloid so they aren't around anymore. My print is on Kodak safty film so it will never die!

Norm-30 I've met several people who feel that this version is much better than the original (Ginger Rogers / Lyle Talbot) picture. I disagree.All the "spookiness" from the original (including the black-robed 'phantom') is gone, and the film is "just another mystery".But, to each his own!Norm