A SHOT IN THE DARK (1935) Charles Starrett & Marion Shilling | Mystery, Thriller | B&W

A Shot in the Dark is a 1935 American mystery film directed by Charles Lamont.

SYNOPSIS
The apparent hanging of a suicidal student is revealed to be murder, as he was already dead when the noose was placed around his neck, killed by a sharp needle that penetrated the back of his skull with great force.

A college student (Charles Starrett) discovers his roommate's body hanging from a window and calls the police. What at first looks like suicide turns out to be murder. While a police investigation is ongoing, more students are killed.

CAST & CREW
Charles Starrett as Kenneth "Ken" Harris
Robert Warwick as Joseph Harris
Edward Van Sloan as Prof. Bostwick
Marion Shilling as Jean Coates
Helen Jerome Eddy as Miss Lottie Case
Doris Lloyd as Lucille Coates
James Bush as Byron Coates / John Meseraux
Julian Madison as Charlie Penlon
Eddie Tamblyn as Bill Smart
Ralph Brooks as Sam Anderson
Robert McKenzie as Sheriff
John Davidson as Prof. Brand
Herbert Bunston as College President
George Morrell as Deputy Ab Barber
Broderick O'Farrell as Dr. Howell
Jane Keckley as Bostwick's Housekeeper

Directed by Charles Lamont
Written by Charles Belden
Based on novel The Dartmouth Murders by Clifford Orr
Produced by George R. Batcheller
Cinematography M.A. Anderson
Edited by Roland D. Reed
Music by Abe Meyer
Production company Chesterfield Pictures
Distributed by Chesterfield Pictures
Release date February 1, 1935
Running time 69 minutes
Country United States
Language English

NOTES
The New York Times wrote, "A Shot in the Dark, which pictures a trilogy of murders on a rural college campus, telegraphs its punches in a way that may seem insignificant to Chesterfield Productions, Inc., but is as good as a confession to us amateur gumshoes...a decided absence of liveliness both in the writing and the playing"; whereas Fantastic Movie Musings and Ramblings noted, "a very good mystery...It does have some problems, particularly in having a rather stiff and static presentation, but outside of that, this is one of the more pleasant discoveries I've made."