Sh! The Octopus (1937)

"Stick 'em up Octopus or I'll blow your brains out." - Dempsey

Two detectives try to solve a murder mystery and find a criminal mastermind.
Starring: Hugh Herbert, Allen Jenkins, Marcia Ralston, John Eldredge

Link to IMDB

Mr. Paul Morgan has recently purchased an old lighthouse from a crusty sea captain, but there are some problems with the place; there's a corpse hanging from the ceiling and rumours of a criminal mastermind, known as The Octopus, lurking in the area. Luckily, Detectives Dempsey and Kelly are nearby, and the two men come to investigate.

There's all sorts of strange characters introduced alongside the detectives, as a group of people slowly gather at the lighthouse to take refuge from a thunderstorm. There's the old captain, a lady in distress, other old guy, funny lady, etc. etc. There's also an octopus creeping around! Occasionally it will reach out its tentacles from the shadows and poke someone. It didn't take long before I was a bit puzzled, because there's not really any plot to follow. Everyone's just paranoid that someone is secretly The Octopus criminal.

Paul, etc.

Thankfully, this is a pretty bonkers comedy, so there's lots of witty one-liners and sloppy physical comedy as Kelly and Dempsey try to keep everyone calm and figure out who's The Octopus, all while trying to not get attacked by the octopus that lives in a cave under the lighthouse!
Wait... is The Octopus actually an octopus?? Is that what's going on here? Even the characters in the movie are confused about this.
There is some suspense, as all the characters seem to have secrets about their identities, but without a story here I'm not sure what makes sense and what doesn't.

At least it flies by quick in less than an hour, and there's always something new popping up to add to the chaos. The last 10 minutes get pretty crazy when The Octopus' identity is finally revealed, and there's even a twist at the end that would only be appreciable in 1937. It was a fun change of pace, and the actors do a fine job keeping the humour interesting, but without a story it's mostly just incoherent octopus shenanigans.




Be sure not to miss:
- The make-up effects when The Octopus' identity is revealed are pretty damn impressive. It's an effect done with lens filters, and can only be achieved on black & white film.
- Dempsey and Kelly need to learn some gun safety. How they haven't shot their own feet off yet is amazing.

Internet review:
"It'll leave you wondering what you just watched...and why you just watched it!" - MetzingerSister

Should I watch it?
If you're really in the mood for old-timey laughs, otherwise pass.

Where can I find it?
The vidzi link here.

Sh! the Octopus gets...