

Stuart Palmer's immortal crime-solving school teacher Hildegarde Withers came to the screen courtesy of a series of mysteries from RKO Pictures. Memorably played by character great Edna May Oliver in three features, Hildegarde was ably paired with her flirty foil of Inspector Piper in the person of James Gleason. Gleason would go on to anchor the series, appearing in all six, alongside Helen Broderick for one and Zasu Pitts for the final two.
S**N
Always certain to lift my spirits
All six murder mysteries are precious gems! Perhaps the last one with Zasu Pitts a semi precious one. Edna May Oliver as Hildegarde in the first three was made for the roll. She does her pompous school teacher character so well. She had so much practice in films such as My Dear Miss Aldrich, Ladies Of The Jury, The Poor Rich, Laugh And Get Rich etc. Hildegarde is by far the best, bouncing dialogue off detective James Gleason this verbal tongue lashing is superb. In the fourth film Helen Broderick was good as was Zasu Pitts in the fifth film but sum how the comedy spark had gone. They are just good mysteries. Please ignore the fact at the end of the Penguin Pool Murder the teacher marries the detective and in the following five films they are not married, also in one film the school teacher has a live maid!
A**R
Picture is good
Really enjoyed these films
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