Mystery House

Mystery House

Year: 1938

Runtime: 56 mins

Language: English

Director: Noel M. Smith

AdventureMysteryCrime

The sudden death of a prominent banker, found with a gun in his hand, sparks suspicion when his daughter refuses to accept it as suicide. Teaming up with a seasoned detective, she delves into the case, uncovering hidden motives and a web of secrets as they race to identify the killer’s next victim.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Mystery House (1938)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Mystery House (1938). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Hunting lodge retreat

A hunting lodge retreat sits in a remote, snowbound countryside, trapping a group of guests inside. The wooden walls, dim corridors, and blizzard outside create a claustrophobic atmosphere. As murders pile up, the lodge becomes both stage and prison for the investigation.

❄️ Snowbound 🏚️ Secluded estate 🧭 Mystery setting

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:48

Main Characters – Mystery House (1938)

Meet the key characters of Mystery House (1938), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Lance O'Leary (Dick Purcell)

A sharp, persistent detective who believes the killer is among the guests. He orchestrates the reunion of suspects, methodically sifting through alibis and motives. His drive and willingness to take risks push the investigation toward a dramatic reveal.

🕵️‍♂️ Detective

Sarah Keate (Ann Sheridan)

The nurse tending Gwen's father who champions the pursuit of truth. She remains calm under pressure, providing emotional support and keen observations that help steer Lance's investigation. Her practical nature keeps the team focused on solving the murders.

🩺 Nurse

Gwen Kingery (Anne Nagel)

Kingery's determined daughter who refuses to accept her father's death as suicide. She drives the investigation by rallying others to seek the truth, acting as a catalyst for Lance's methodical inquiry.

👩‍💼 Heiress

Hubert Kingery (Eric Stanley)

A banker whose forged securities and embezzlement scheme trigger suspicion among the guests. His murder adds urgency to uncovering who stood to gain from his downfall.

🏦 Banker

Joe Page (Anderson Lawler)

Helen Page's husband who recently asked for a divorce, providing motive for jealousy and potential financial gain. He becomes entangled in the lodge's web of accusations.

👔 Husband

Helen Page (Jean Benedict)

A married woman whose death appears to be a suicide but is later revealed as murder. Her failing marriage and the divorce request contribute to the cascade of motives among the guests.

💔 Victim

Gerald Frawley (Ben Welden)

A guest who holds a crucial clue in a letter and a toupee that hides a safe combination. His past crime and its exposure fuel the motive for ensuing murders.

🧩 Suspect

Lucy Kingery (Elspeth Dudgeon)

Kingery's wheelchair-using aunt who is revealed to actually be able to walk. She steals a toupee and unwittingly reveals the safe's combination, becoming a key player in the investigation.

♿ Wheelchair user

Bruker (Trevor Bardette)

The family chauffeur with a history of embezzlement who attempts to copy the safe combination. He is implicated in the trio of murders until his eventual confession.

🚗 Chauffeur

Julian Barre (Anthony Averill)

A guest whose actions and alibis come under scrutiny; his violence and flight lead to the dramatic confrontation that reveals him as the killer.

🕯️ Suspect

Terice Von Elm (Sheila Bromley)

A guest whose presence contributes to the lodge’s crowded, suspicious atmosphere, tightening the sense of danger and mystery among the group.

🎀 Guest

Newell Morse (Hugh O'Connell)

Another guest adding to the social dynamics; his interactions help shape motives and the unfolding investigation.

🕊️ Guest

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:48

Major Themes – Mystery House (1938)

Explore the central themes of Mystery House (1938), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️‍♂️ Deception

Trust erodes as each guest hides a possible motive for the killings. The detective, Lance O'Leary, pieces together alibis, misdirections, and concealed finances to separate truth from lie. The suspense comes from rapidly shifting allegations and the revelation that nothing is as it seems.

🗝️ Secrets

Hidden money, forged securities, and a safe with a coded charm behind Gerald Frawley's toupee drive the plot. The characters' secrets are gradually uncovered, tightening the web of guilt. The motive for murder emerges from a past crime that someone wants to keep buried.

❄️ Isolation

The snowstorm traps the eight suspects within the lodge, turning a social weekend into a high-stakes investigation. The claustrophobic setting heightens paranoia as suspects confront each other’s alibis. The confined space becomes a pressure cooker for violence and truth-telling.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:48

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Unlock the Full Story of Mystery House

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Mystery House Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Mystery House, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Mystery House Summary

Mystery House Timeline

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Mystery House Timeline

More About Mystery House

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More About Mystery House

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