The Black Raven Blu-ray Review: Murder Mystery on the Canadian Border

The Black Raven (1943) directed by Sam Newfield is an old, dark house murder mystery that stars George Zucco, Wanda McKay, and Robert Livingston (here as Robert Randal) thrown together one overly blustery night. Also along for the fun are notable names such as Glen Strange, I. Stanford Jolly, Bryon Fougler, and Charles Middleton. Another little, Poverty Row cheapie gem with lots of atmosphere from PRC, Producers Releasing Corporation.

The Black Raven Motel sits near the Canadian border and this particular dark and stormy night will be mortally busy as a washed-out bridge brings all kinds of trouble. An escaped convict (Jolley) with deadly designs on the motel’s proprietor Amos “The Raven” Bradford (Zucco) turns up first, followed by a wanted gangster named Bardoni (Noel Madison), and a squirrely bank teller (Foulger) who’s carrying 50 grand in his handbag. A young couple (McKay and Livingston) looking to elope are next to arrive and quick on their heels is the girl’s father, a big-time politician (Robert Middlemass) that seems to have unknown ties to the Raven’s shady past. Two of these travelers seeking shelter will perish as the sheriff (Middleton) tries to figure out whodunit and Andy (Strange), the motel’s valet/bellboy/handyman, keeps stumbling upon the deceased while trying to stay dry in between getting all the cars parked. 

The plot of The Black Raven is a bit convoluted but its atmosphere and excellent cast help this low-budget B picture remain better than most such fare of the time. Director Sam Newfield, a Poverty Row veteran, keeps things interesting with his smart use of lighting and shadows while the ensemble cast play their parts well. Zucco is on point as the goodhearted proprietor with a shady past. The always solid Robert Livingston seems more at ease on the open range as a cowboy but does fine as the husband to be. Strange, known for his role as Frankenstein’s monster and later as Sam the bartender in Gunsmoke, is fun to watch in his comic-relief role. While Charles Middleton not being Ming the Merciless is something different for sure. 

The Black Raven isn’t the best movie of its type from this era in Hollywood history but its noteworthy cast makes for a fun 61-minute viewing. Thanks to the folks at Film Masters for restoring this low-budget affair and releasing it on Blu-ray.