The Mystery Of Edwin Drood (1935)

A choirmaster and opium addict (Claude Rains) is in love with his young pupil (Heather Angel) who does not share his feelings. Although engaged to Edwin Drood (David Manners), she finds herself attracted to another man (Douglass Montgomery) who reciprocates her feelings. Based on the unfinished 1870 novel by Charles Dickens who died before he could complete it and directed by Stuart Walker (WEREWOLF OF LONDON). The film is quite faithful to the Dickens book though obviously the screenwriter had to create an ending for the movie. The film is rich in atmosphere and features an imposing performance by Rains as the choirmaster consumed with a passion that drives him to murder. Yet the film itself isn't entirely satisfactory. Walker's direction lacks drive which is exactly what the film's often slack narrative needs. With Valerie Hobson, Francis L. Sullivan and Zeffie Tilbury who comes pretty close to stealing the movie as a greedy opium den proprietor.