Movie Review: Murder on a Bridle Path (1936)
Synopsis: When Violet Feverel is found dead on a bridle path in Central Park, police believe she was accidentally thrown from her horse and trampled, until schoolteacher Hildegarde Withers points out a clue that shows the young woman was murdered. Inspector Oscar Piper quickly focuses his attention on Feverel's ex-husband, Don Gregg, believing he is the killer. Hildegarde, however, isn't convinced.
Who's in it? The movie stars James Gleason, Helen Broderick, Louise Latimer, Leslie Fenton and Willie Best.
Review: I have enjoyed other Hildegarde Withers mysteries and was quick to add Murder on a Bridle Path to my library even though it had a different actress (Broderick) in the lead role other than Edna May Oliver. Despite the schoolteacher and amateur detective having a different face, it still turned out to be an entertaining mystery.
One thing I found I liked right away about this movie was how it was quick to establish Hildegarde as the brains of the duo while still giving Inspector Oliver (Gleason) a fair share of his contributions to the team effort. I especially liked how the movie also made sure to give Hildegarde some comeuppance as well, whether it was having her arrested or chasing a red herring clue, putting her in her place before it got too much to her head.
The mystery itself was intriguing. While the ex-husband (Fenton) had enough motive for him to make sense as the main suspect, the deceased Feverel (Sheila Terry) wasn't a well-liked person, leaving the door open for plenty of other suspects, including her own sister, Barbara (Latimer). That meant just about anyone of them could have been the killer, especially when a second body was found.
The climax of the film was entertaining, with Hildegard figuring out who the killer was, why they did it and how while, at the same time, finding herself in a position where her life was in danger. It added a bit of suspense to go with the surprise twist as far as the murderer was concerned, though I did also wonder why the killer would keep the evidence of the crime in their room rather than disposing of it.
Final Opinion: It is a solid murder mystery with plenty of suspects and a crimefighting duo that, while a bit lopsided, work well as a team. I did not regret watching the film, despite the change in lead actress, as a result.
My Grade: A
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Here are some reviews of other Hildegarde Withers movies:
Movie Review: Murder on the Blackboard (1934)
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