Whistling in the Dark

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TOMATOMETER

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57%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 74

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Movie Info

Though based on a stage play by Laurence Gross and Edward Childs Carpenter (previously filmed as an Ernest Truex vehicle in 1933), MGM's Whistling in the Dark was clearly inspired by the success of Paramount's Bob Hope comedy-mystery The Ghost Breakers. In his first film starring role, Red Skelton plays radio actor Wally Benton, better known to his fans as that intrepid crime-solver "The Fox". On the eve of his wedding to perennial fiancee Carol Lambert (Ann Rutherford), Wally is summoned to the mansion of cult leader Joseph Jones (Conrad Veidt). Though he preaches a message of "radiant contentment" to his followers, Jones is actually a racketeer who hopes to get his hands on a $1,000,000 inheritance. The only person standing in the way of Jones' windfall is the sole heir, mild-mannered Mr. Upshaw (Lloyd Corrigan), who is about to take a business trip by plane. Impressed by "The Fox"'s encyclopedic knowledge of crime, Jones wants Wally to plan a "perfect murder", one which will put Upshaw out of the way without detection. Naturally, Wally balks at this, but he is persuaded to go along with Jones when the latter kidnaps both Carol and Fran Post (Virginia Grey), the daughter of Wally's sponsor (Henry O'Neill). Considerately, Jones gives Wally till 11 o'clock to come up with his plan, leaving our hapless hero in the "care" of hulking henchman Sylvester (Rags Ragland). Fully aware that neither his life nor those of Carol and Fran will be worth five cents once Upshaw is murdered, Wally spends most of the evening trying to concoct a way out of his jam. Full of hilarious one-liners and sidesplitting slapstick, Whistling in the Dark is also quite suspenseful--especially in the final reel, wherein the best line is delivered by the pop-eyed potential murder victim. So well received was Whistling in the Dark that MGM rushed out two sequels, also starring Red Skelton, Ann Rutherford and a "reformed" Rags Ragland.

Cast

Red Skelton
as Wally Benton
Conrad Veidt
as Joseph Jones
Ann Rutherford
as Carol Lambert
Rags Ragland
as Sylvester
Virginia Grey
as Fran Post
Eve Arden
as Buzz Baker
Don Douglas
as Gordon Thomas
Don Costello
as Moose Green
Paul Stanton
as Jennings
William Tannen
as Robert Graves
Reed Hadley
as Beau Smith
Lloyd Corrigan
as Harvey Upshaw
Henry O'Neill
as Phillip Post
George Carleton
as Deputy Commissioner O'Neill
Mariska Aldrich
as Hilda
Will Lee
as Herman
John Picorri
as Gatekeeper
Joe Devlin
as Taxi Driver
Ruth Robinson
as Mrs. Robinson
Ken Christy
as Inspector
Betty Farrington
as Mrs. Moriarity
Paul Ellis
as Captain
Dora Clement
as Mrs. Upshaw
James Adamson
as Attendant
Inez Cooper
as Stewardess
Emmett Vogan
as Producer
Barbara Bedford
as Local Operator
Lester Dorr
as Dispatcher
Mark Daniels
as Copilot
Leon Tyler
as Gerry
Mel Ruick
as Engineer
Dorothy Adams
as Mrs. Farrell
Jenny Mac
as Mrs. Kendall
John Dilson
as Vanderhoff
Billy Bletcher
as Effects Man
Larry Steers
as Studio Manager
Ronnie Rondell
as Waiter
James Brick Sullivan
as Policeman
Al Hill
as Policeman
Jerry Wald
as Announcer
Robert E. Homans
as Policeman
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Critic Reviews for Whistling in the Dark

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Audience Reviews for Whistling in the Dark

  • Jun 08, 2014
    Snappy comic thriller with Skelton funny as radio performer The Fox ably assisted by Ann Rutherford and Virginia Grey both full of sass.
    jay n Super Reviewer
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