Performance & Direction: The Case of the Frightened Lady Review
Last updated: February 8, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Case of the Frightened Lady (1940) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.3/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Mystery.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Mystery is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Case of the Frightened Lady features a noteworthy lineup led by Marius Goring . Supported by the likes of Helen Haye and Penelope Dudley-Ward , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: The Case of the Frightened Lady
Quick Plot Summary: The Case of the Frightened Lady is a Mystery, Thriller, Crime film that presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: The Case of the Frightened Lady
Ending Breakdown: The Case of the Frightened Lady concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to mystery resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the mystery themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Case of the Frightened Lady reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
The Case of the Frightened Lady Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
The Case of the Frightened Lady incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a mystery, thriller, crime film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: The Case of the Frightened Lady adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch The Case of the Frightened Lady?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Mystery films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Top Cast: The Case of the Frightened Lady
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Where to Watch The Case of the Frightened Lady Online?
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Amazon VideoThe Case of the Frightened Lady Parents Guide & Age Rating
1940 AdvisoryWondering about The Case of the Frightened Lady age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Case of the Frightened Lady is 81 minutes (1h 21m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.3/10, and global performance metrics, The Case of the Frightened Lady is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1940 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Case of the Frightened Lady worth watching?
The Case of the Frightened Lady is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Mystery movies. It has a verified rating of 6.3/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Case of the Frightened Lady parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Case of the Frightened Lady identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Case of the Frightened Lady?
The total duration of The Case of the Frightened Lady is 81 minutes, which is approximately 1h 21m long.
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Critic Reviews for The Case of the Frightened Lady
When the chauffeur to "Lady Lebanon" (Helen Haye) is found strangled with one of her expensive silk scarves, Scotland Yard detective "Tanner" (George Merritt) and his slightly goofy sidekick "Totty" (Ronald Shiner) descend on her country pile to investigate. It's not long before we discover that there are plenty of suspects for the murderer of this rather odious gent - not least the frequent visitor "Dr. Amersham" (Felix Aylmer) and her son, the present "Lord Lebanon" (Marius Goring) whom she is pressuring to marry "Isla" (Penelope Dudley-Ward). The whodunit element is quite well stitched together, with Aylmer and Haye working well together with Goring to create just a hint of menace as the rather thin story heads for quite a quirky ending. The production benefits from the stately home scenario, there is quite a compelling effort from Goring towards the end and there are some nice old cars too. Though really quite a slow burn, it is still worth watching.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
