Three travelers arrive by train and check in at the Hotel Cesare Borgia, somewhere in Italy: Henry O'Neill, a drama producer, there to read some plays; C. Aubrey Smith, a doctor who has prescribed himself some rest; and Donald Woods, who doesn't say why he's there but looks just like the hotel's portrait of Cesare Borgia.
Woods, a descendant of the infamous Borgia family, intends to kill himself in the ancestral village. Luckily, however, psychiatrist Smith convinces him to try writing a play to rid himself of his demons. Next thing we know, Woods is in Vienna where he's written a play about the Borgias and producer O'Neill is preparing it for the stage. When O'Neill's daughter Margaret Lindsay shows up, Woods knows immediately that she is perfect for the role of Lucretia.
It's a unique setup that gradually develops into a more standard mystery plot: Woods falls in love with beautiful Lindsay, her father forbids their marriage and soon afterwards is found murdered. The murder weapon? An ancient dagger supposed to be an actual Borgia relic. The suspects? Those closest to the murdered man. Woods investigates as best he can, his old pal Aubrey Smith takes on the psychological angle, and Lindsay seems like she might be shielding someone - but whom?
Robert Barrat has a good role as a humorous police inspector (who keeps calling his wife to tell her whether he'll be home late). Woods and Lindsay are fine as the leads. C. Aubrey Smith does a nice job, as always, as the shrewd older gentleman.
Overall, this B mystery tries to be something a little different and mostly succeeds.
Woods, a descendant of the infamous Borgia family, intends to kill himself in the ancestral village. Luckily, however, psychiatrist Smith convinces him to try writing a play to rid himself of his demons. Next thing we know, Woods is in Vienna where he's written a play about the Borgias and producer O'Neill is preparing it for the stage. When O'Neill's daughter Margaret Lindsay shows up, Woods knows immediately that she is perfect for the role of Lucretia.
It's a unique setup that gradually develops into a more standard mystery plot: Woods falls in love with beautiful Lindsay, her father forbids their marriage and soon afterwards is found murdered. The murder weapon? An ancient dagger supposed to be an actual Borgia relic. The suspects? Those closest to the murdered man. Woods investigates as best he can, his old pal Aubrey Smith takes on the psychological angle, and Lindsay seems like she might be shielding someone - but whom?
Robert Barrat has a good role as a humorous police inspector (who keeps calling his wife to tell her whether he'll be home late). Woods and Lindsay are fine as the leads. C. Aubrey Smith does a nice job, as always, as the shrewd older gentleman.
Overall, this B mystery tries to be something a little different and mostly succeeds.