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Delightful little film which packs a lot into its hour length . And wonderful to see 82 year old MAY ROBSON in the lead.
The film is worth watching if only for the first scene.
We see Minerva Hatton (May Robson) prospecting in the desert with her great-granddaughter Charlotte (ANN E. TODD ).

Ann E. Todd
Minerva carries a shovel, wears a gun belt and is pulling a mule, as she chats to Charlotte about the old days.
Then we see them walk over to a big limousine with a horse box attached – a chauffeur , Joe ( ARCHIE TWITCHELL) is waiting for them!
Very funny.
It turns out that Minerva had made her fortune gold prospecting in the area years before with her late husband .
Back at her big Nevada mansion, Minerva’s granddaughter Julie ( MARGOT STEVENSON) is waiting for a divorce – Charlotte is her daughter. Julie’s husband Phil (HARDIE ALBRIGHT) wants to get his hands on some of Minerva’s money. When he is later found shot dead, Minerva’s granddaughter is accused of the murder.

Margot Stevenson
With the help of her old friends, HARRY DAVENPORT and CLEM BEVANS, Minerva sets out to prove her granddaughter ‘ s innocence.

Clem Bevans
Clem Bevans was 61 when he appeared in this film. He had already cornered the market on crotchety old men.

May Robson, Harry Davenport
There’s another funny scene in court when the feisty Minerva pretends to be a gentle old lady who wouldn’t hurt a fly. ( She’s taken the blame for the murder).
She speaks in a soft ,quiet voice , tearful at one point , asking for a glass of water. The district attorney isnt fooled and says,
“You’re not the saccharine old lady you ‘d have us believe. Wasn’t your name ‘Sureshot Minerva’?”
Minerva suddenly drops the pretence and bawls out, “No, it was ‘Hardboiled Hatton.”
The real killer has a great name, ‘Riff Daggett’ ( played by CLAY CLEMENT). There’s lots of action from Minerva and her friends before Daggett’s guilt is proved.
LAIRD CREGAR has a uncredited part as a court clerk.
Margot Stevenson ( as Minerva’s granddaughter) originated the role of Alice Sycamore in the 1936 stage production of YOU CANT TAKE IT WITH YOU. She was married for 50 years to movie heavy VAL AVERY.
May Robson (1858 – 1942) gives a great performance as the rough diamond millionairess who hasn’t forgotten her roots. May made 6 more films before her death in 1942.
The film is based on Erle Stanley Gardner’s THE CASE OF THE DANGEROUS DOWAGER.
Who doesn’t love May Robson? And you pair her with Davenport, it puts all other screen teams to shame. Loved your spotlight on this fun picture.
As you say, May and Harry make a great team !
This looks terrific. I searched for it online – haven’t found it yet, but when I do, I’ll drop everything to watch it.
Happy New Year, and all the best in 2018! 🙂
It’s an easy watch and well worth seeing.
All the best to you!