
This week’s mystery movie was the 1931 Chesterfield Motion Picture film The Devil Plays, with Jameson Thomas, Florence Britton, Thomas Jackson, Richard Tucker, Robert Ellis, Lillian Rich, Edmund Burns, Dorothy Christy, Lew Kelly, Carmelita Geraghty, Jack Trent and Murdock McQuarrie.
Story and continuity by Arthur Hoerl.
Photographed by M.A. Anderson.
Sound by John Tribby.
Assistant director Melville Shyer.
Directed by Richard Thorpe.
A bit of information on The Devil Plays is available in the AFI Catalog.
The Devil Plays is available on DVD from Critics’ Choice Video.
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I picked The Devil Plays after a discussion among the Brain Trust about movies people had watched recently. The Variety review, at left, is the toughest of the ones in the trades. The other reviews are more positive, like the ones in Hollywood Filmograph and Film Daily. I’m going to guess The New York Times snubbed The Devil Plays, and indeed, there isn’t a word about it!

For Monday, we have a pair of mysterious fellows.
Update: This is Jack Trent, left, and Murdock McQuarrie.

For “Tricky Tuesday,” we have a mysterious woman.
Update: This is Carmelita Geraghty.

For “Hm Wednesday,”we have a couple of mystery chaps.
Update: This is Thomas E. Jackson, left, and George “Gabby” Hayes.
Brain Trust roll call: Mike Hawks (mystery movie and all mystery guests).

For “Aha Thursday,” we have fun mystery couple No. 1.
Update: This is Dorothy Christy and Edmund Burns.

And fun mystery couple No. 2.
Update: This is Lillian Rich and Robert Ellis.
Brain Trust roll call: Greg (Wednesday’s mystery man No. 2), Mary Mallory (mystery movie and all mystery guests) and Mike Hawks (Wednesday’s mystery guests).

For Friday, we have our mysterious leads.
Update: This is Lew Kelly, left, Florence Britton and Jameson Thomas.
Brain Trust roll call: Mary Mallory (Thursday’s mystery guests), Greg (mystery movie, Thursday’s mysterious women), Megan and Thom (Thursday’s mystery woman No. 1) and Mike Hawks (Thursday’s mystery guests).
I’m thinking new year’s eve with Bacon and Bernard. Season’s Greetings.
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The gentleman at left looks like a young Lloyd Nolan, but the overall look is that of a silent picture, so I’ll wait before I venture any more guesses . . .
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Leatrice Joy.
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Gail Patrick.
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Is today’s guest Bessie Love?
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Common sense tells me not to do it but is Tuesday’s lady Sally Eilers?
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Constance Cummings.
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Jack Trent, Murdock MacQuarrie and Carmelita Geraghty in THE DEVIL PLAYS.
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Total stab in the dark: “The Unholy Night,” directed by Lionel Barrymore.
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Reminds me of Zasu Pitts a little, but Tricky Tuesday’s veiled lady has a rounder face, so not her…hmmm. Thinking cap is on.
Once again my guess at this time is that Howard will get it, if not today, he will by tomorrow.
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Mystery man #2 holding the glass for Wednesday sure looks like a clean shaven George “Gabby” Hayes.
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THE DEVIL PLAYS. Jack Trent and Murdock Macquarrie Mondat, Carmelita Geraghty Tuesday, Thomas E. Jackson and George “Gabby” Hayes today.
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Thomas Jackson and George Hayes.
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Claudette Colbert? Well, a little bit …
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Dorothy Christy and Edmund Burns, Lillian Rich and Robert Ellis.
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Based on the clothing and jewelry of Thursday’s ladies I think the movie is “The Devil Plays” from 1931. As far as the ladies go, I think Tuesday’s peeper is Florence Britton. #1 lady on Thursday is Dorothy Christy and the 2nd lady is Lillian Rich.
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Today’s first lady is Dorothy Christy, but she was quite prolific. Apart from the fact that it from the early 30s, I am sure which movie it is.
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Dorothy Christy, Edmund Burns, Lillian Rich and Robert Ellis.
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Florence Britton and Jameson Thomas.
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Here it is Friday and I still know nothing. What a revoltin’ development this is.
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Lew Kelly, Florence Britton and Jameson Thomas.
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arrrgghhh! I missed the whole week because of Christmas insanity. THANK YOU, Larry, for the Jameson Thomas movie!
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