Movie spotlight
A fence for a gang of jewel thieves comes under suspicion from the police.
In this short film, a group of people are invited to a secluded country house for a weekend gathering. During their stay, a murder occurs, and everyone becomes a suspect. The guests must work together to uncover the killer among them before they strike again.
As a short film from 1935, 'Checkmate' did not receive widespread critical reviews in the way feature films do. Its reception is largely based on its historical context as a B-movie or short subject, often playing second-fiddle to main features. It is generally considered a competent, if unexceptional, mystery short of its era.
A typical whodunit for its time.
Features a competent cast in a standard mystery plot.
The short format keeps the suspense tight but limits character development.
Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for this specific short film from 1935 is not readily available.
This short film is part of a series of mystery shorts produced by Vitaphone, often featuring well-known actors in brief, intriguing plots.
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Much better than the average crime caper, this one, and it is odd - and refreshing - to see Donald Wolfit out of his more theatrical guise. An undercover policeman takes up lodgings with a family suspected of involvement in series of jewell...