The Case of the Black Cat (1936)
1h 6m
Running Time
October 31, 1936Release Date
The Case of the Black Cat (1936)
1h 6m
Running Time
October 31, 1936Release Date
Network & Production Companies
Plot.
Lawyer Perry Mason is summoned to the Laxter mansion in the dead of night to write granddaughter Wilma out of invalid Peter Laxter's will, to keep her from marrying suspected fortune hunter Doug. Peter dies in a mysterious fire and Laxter's two grandsons, Sam Laxter and Frank Oafley, inherit his estate on the condition old caretaker Schuster and his cat Clinker are kept on. When cat-hating Sam threatens Clinker, Perry steps in and learns Laxter's death was suspicious and the family fortune and diamonds are missing. Schuster's found dead in his basement apartment, Laxter's nurse Louise is murdered with Schuster's crutch, and circumstantial evidence brings Doug to trial for Louise's death. Mason's investigation produces a surprise witness who turns the trial around. Written by Sister Grimm
Where to Watch.
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This Movie Is About.
Cast & Crew.
Ricardo Cortez
Perry Mason
June Travis
Della Street
Jane Bryan
Wilma Laxter
Craig Reynolds
Frank Oafley
Carlyle Moore Jr.
Douglas Keene
Alan Crosland
Director
Bill Elliott
Sam Laxter
Nedda Harrigan
Nurse Louise DeVoe
Garry Owen
Paul Drake
Harry Davenport
Peter Laxter
George Rosener
Charles Ashton
Gordon Hart
Dr. Jacobs
William C. McGann
Director
Clarence Wilson
Mr. Shuster
Guy Usher
District Attorney Hamilton Burger
Erle Stanley Gardner
Writer
Lottie Williams
Mrs. Pixley
F. Hugh Herbert
Writer
Harry Hayden
Reverend Stillwell
Allen G. Siegler
Cinematographer
Earl Askam
Desk Officer (uncredited)
Frank Magee
Editor
Don Downen
Newsboy (uncredited)
Kenneth Gibson
Clerk (uncredited)
Sol Gorss
Poker Player (uncredited) / Stunts
Harrison Greene
Worried Client (uncredited)
Chuck Hamilton
Bailiff (uncredited)
Milton Kibbee
Brandon - Oafley's Butler (uncredited)
Paul Kruger
Reporter (uncredited)
John Marston
Judge Robert Fellows (uncredited)
Edward McWade
Keene's Apartment Manager (uncredited)
Lyle Moraine
Reporter (uncredited)
Paul Panzer
Poker Player (uncredited)
Ferdinand Schumann-Heink
Mason's Driver (uncredited)
John Sheehan
Sergeant Holcomb (uncredited)
Billy Wayne
Poker Player (uncredited)
Claire White
Woman (uncredited)
Tom Wilson
Waffle Shop Construction Foreman (uncredited)
Frank Bruno
Construction Foreman (uncredited)
Jack L. Warner
Executive Producer
Media.
Details.
Wiki.
The Case of the Black Cat is a 1936 American mystery film directed by William C. McGann and an uncredited Alan Crosland, based on the 1935 Perry Mason novel The Case of the Caretaker's Cat by Erle Stanley Gardner. The film stars Ricardo Cortez as Perry Mason and co-stars June Travis and Jane Bryan in her film debut. The film is the fifth Perry Mason adaptation distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures in the 1930s and the first in the series not to feature Warren William as Mason.