The House of the Arrow

A. E. W. Mason's Inspector Hanaud was one of the great detectives of early mystery fiction. There are at least five British films featuring Haunad. Sadly, this is the only one known to exist. And what a great little treat it is. Hanaud is called in by a jealous heir to probe the death of his wealthy sister-in-law. The complaining heir suggests his sister-in-law was murdered by her adopted daughter, the beautiful Betty Harlowe. Hanaud's probe quickly dismisses the brother-in-law's claim. The man, upset at being shut out of his sister-in-law's will, created the story in the hopes of getting his hands on the estate.

But the mystery is not over. Although the brother-in-law's charge has been dismissed, Hanaud has come to believe that the old woman was indeed murdered. Oscar Homolka is fantastic as the eccentric, extroverted Inspector Hanaud. He takes command of the scenes he is in and displays an extreme confidence that is consistent with his character. Not to be missed by lovers of British mysteries.

Pretty good mystery movie from a pretty good writer in A.E.W. Mason ("The Four Feathers", "Fire Over England"). The big surprise here, though, is Oscar Homolka as Insp. Hanaud, a charismatic, urbane figure unlike any Homolka has ever played. He is cleaned up, shorn of bushy eyebrows, hair combed back and dressed like a fashion plate instead of his usual rumpled old self.

He carries the picture by himself and the producers probably spent most of their money on his salary, as the rest of the cast are unknowns and the whole production looks to have been made at the British equivalent of one of Hollywood's Poverty Row studios.

I didn't read the book but I think Mason shortchanged his story by leaving us with only three suspects to choose from. The plot is a good one and it keeps you guessing right to the end, which comes up on us rather abruptly. If you get a chance, see it, you will like it. And, like me, you can wonder what could have been if it were made at a bigger studio.

This is a fun and enjoyable little mystery film, with a terrific performance by character actor Oscar Homolka, giving him a rare opportunity to play the leading role, Inspector Hanaud.

Homolka appeared in dozens of movies and TV shows throughout his career, including a recurring character in both Funeral in Berlin and Billion Dollar Brain, Mr. Sardonicus, War and Peace, and a number of projects with Hitchcock on both big and small screen. I've always enjoyed his work, but he's a standout in this, simply first rate.

He's joined by the actress Yvonne Furneaux, so memorable in Polanski's Repulsion as well as in Fellini's La Dolce Vita and Hammer's version of The Mummy.

The story is good with some nice twists and turns and the production is excellent. Recommended.

A French police inspector (Oscar Homolka) questions the heiress (Yvonne Furneaux) of a rich widow killed by a poison arrow, thanks to the heiress' jealous cousin who claims that his sister had been murdered and vehemently accuses the heiress. He himself becomes seriously suspected by the police ...

But then the autopsy proves that the lady wasn't poisoned, however, the inspector believes she was murdered and that by a rare arrow containing poison.

I found this quite enjoyable with its brilliant atmosphere, French organ music, its continental appeal and an eccentric inspector, but I was also left trailing with the mystery details. For example, the victim's autopsy was proven not to be poisoned, but an arrow poison killed her. Maybe a rare poison that does want show up in tests.

This was screened several times, and no wonder, since the plot is a mystery that even transcends most of Agatha Christie's professional mysteries. Poisoning is supected, but no trace of any poison can be found. The sole heiress immediately becomes implicated and accused, but no proof can be found against her. A lovely maid is another suspect, but her innocence actually leads to solving the mystery in the end. A jealous cousin becomes seriously suspected by the police from the beginning, since he so vehemently accuses the heiress, but he has to take everything back. No one can guess the outcome, which will be a surprise. Oskar Homolka as the police investigator gloriously dominates the film and adds to its picturesque character of mystery veiled in enigmas, and it must be one of his best films. The music is also perfect, suits the mood exactly, like Anton Karas' cither in "The Third Man", and is actually a major enjoyment in the film. The cinematography is also interesting for its depth and fascinating treatment of the environment in spite of the settings being rather clastrophobic, but the film surmounts that temptation. In brief, a golden treat for lovers of criminal mysteries.