The Case of the Black Cat (1936)

In the shadowy depth of night, eminent lawyer Perry Mason receives an urgent call from Peter Laxter, a wealthy invalid. Laxter's mansion, a looming emblem of grandeur and mystery, serves as the battleground for a family torn apart by greed. The patriarch seeks to alter his will, casting aside his granddaughter Wilma, whom he fears has fallen prey to Doug, a suspected fortune hunter. Intent on preserving his estate, Laxter divides his wealth between his two grandsons, Sam Laxter and Frank Oafley, with an unusual condition - the old caretaker, Ashton, and his black cat, Clinker, must remain undisturbed. Fate, however, has a grim plan. Laxter's life is abruptly extinguished in a bizarre fire, leaving behind a trail of suspicion and a missing fortune. As the ashes settle, Perry finds himself drawn into a web of deceit, where every corner is shrouded with doubt. When Sam, a loather of felines, threatens Clinker, Perry's suspicion deepens. His investigations reveal the unsettling truth - Laxter's death is far from accidental and the family diamonds have vanished. The mystery spirals further when the loyal caretaker is mercilessly killed, and soon after, DeVoe meets the same fate. Amid the chaos, the police gather enough evidence to accuse Wilma's boyfriend Keene of the ruthless murders. Perry, firm in his pursuit of justice, steps up to represent Keene, plunging into a riveting trial that uncovers the dark secrets lingering in the opulent Laxter mansion. The Case of the Black Cat weaves a compelling tale of intrigue and betrayal, where the line between guilt and innocence blurs, and the truth is as elusive as the black cat that roams the shadowy halls of the Laxter estate.

The Case of the Black Cat is a crime movie featuring Milton Kibbee.

The Case of the Black Cat is currently streaming on TCM.