Released in 1943 by the low-budget outfit Producers Releasing Corporation, The Black Raven offers what amounts to a watered-down "old dark house" mystery. George Zucco is in top form as Amos Bradford, the criminal owner of the Black Raven Inn. When a nearby bridge is washed out in a raging storm, the usual assortment of characters is forced to spend the night at the Black Raven. Not surprisingly, murder and mystery soon follow. While falling back on many clichés of the genre, the film also has much to recommend it. The spooky lighting and sporadically noir-like photography manage to hit a few high points, and the murder mystery is moderately engaging. The weather effects are surprisingly good (you'll really believe the actors are caught in a downpour!). --Mark Savary
