Elizabeth “Betty” Woods (Brenda Joyce) is the grandniece and only heir of Captain Eli Weatherby. The main part of the captain’s estate consists of an old broken-down ship called the “Black Joker”. Rumor has it there is a fortune in diamonds hidden somewhere aboard the ship and that he was murdered before he could reveal where the jewels were hidden.
H.H. Van Buren (Milton Berle) is a radio host that tells true crime stories on old unsolved crimes. As part of the program, he puts forth his view of who the culprit was. Since he only solves crimes where all the suspects are dead, he is assured that his version of the crime can’t be disputed. His latest show is about the murder of Captain Weatherby. Unfortunately, Inspector Norris (Arthur Hohl), from the police department, informs Van Buren that he has named the wrong killer. Van Buren’s boss, Mr. Conroy (Harry Hayden) sends him to the Black Joker to find some clues as to who the real killer is. Van Buren takes his valet, Euclid Brown (Willie Best) and heads off to the ship.
In the meantime, Betty, having received official word that the estate is hers, decides to also visit the ship and look for the treasure. Her boyfriend, David Courtland (John Shelton) finds out where she went and goes after her. Van Buren’s co-worker, Jerry Gilpin (Edmund MacDonald), having been the butt of one of Van Buren’s jokes, hires a couple actors, Norbert (John Carradine) and Stella (Renie Riano), to play a couple crazy people and set up some tricks to try to scare Van Buren on the ship. In addition, a couple strangers, Jonathan Flack (Grady Sutton) and Dr. Walter Bascomb (Milton Parsons) arrive saying they got stuck in fog and lost their way. Also, skulking around is a criminal, Mack Wolf (Abner Biberman), from the captain’s past who is also looking for the treasure.
The result is a derelict ship full of various characters, all with their own agenda, and some with an inclination toward murder.
“The Whispering Ghosts” was released in 1942 and was directed by Alfred L. Werker. It is an American murder mystery comedy.
The Radio detective star that solves murders is a standard plot for many mysteries done in the 30’s and 40’s. As with many comedy mysteries, most of the movie is comedy skits with very little mystery. With Milton Berle on board, jokes are going to be the strong point in the film. The actual treasure, and by extension the clues to it, is mostly a MacGuffin. Despite the heaviness toward comedy, the movie was entertaining enough. Some of the characters were a little over-the-top, but the acting was solid and the cast impressive enough for a “B” movie.
The name of the crow in the movie was Jimmy. He actually acted in about 28 films over an 8-year period and has sometimes played a raven. He is also known for playing Caw-Caw the crow in a couple Jungle Jim movies.
Milton Berle is not on my favorites list but here he’s not nearly as obnoxious as he got to be later in his career.