Engaging Thriller with Great Performances

Moss Rose is a film noir mystery from 1947 set in 19th Century England. It is adapted from a 1934 novel of the same name by Marjorie Bowen based on a real-life Victorian murder case. The only actors in it with whom I was familiar were Ethel Barrymore, Victor Mature, and Vincent Price. Peggy Cummins as Rose Lynton who uses the stage name Belle Adair is the star.

Peggy Cummins is very pretty and appealing and really sells the story as far as maintaining viewer interest. Her character’s actions range from dangerous at best to incomprehensible at most as she forms a close association with a man she has every reason to believe murdered her friend. Victor Mature is very good in the way he plays it so you can’t tell till very late in the game whether he is guilty or not. There are a few aspects not entirely clear which may be better explained in the book but not so much as to interfere with overall enjoyment of the film.

Vincent Price is great as Police Inspector R. Clinner. It is mostly not a really high action role as he investigates the scene of the crime and questions witnesses and suspects, but he is so cool and wonderful to look at and listen to.

The film is very suspenseful and keeps the viewer engaged and guessing right to the end. Probably more for adults than kids. Two murder victims are discovered, no blood, not a lot of violence. A little smoking and drinking. The kids will have seen much worse.