Rouges Tavern (1936)
Cult Classics
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Classics, History
Rogues Tavern (1936) is a moody murder mystery set within the confines of an eerie, snowbound inn. The film follows private detective Jimmy Kelly and his fiancée, who arrive at the Red Rock Tavern to elope—only to find themselves trapped with a group of strangers as a series of brutal killings unfolds. Suspicion spreads rapidly as guests turn on one another and the killer remains at large.
Directed by Robert F. Hill and produced by Mercury Pictures, the film embraces the atmospheric tension of early horror-infused mysteries, mixing whodunit suspense with supernatural overtones. With stormy weather, dimly lit corridors, and shadowy figures, Rogues Tavern builds a sense of claustrophobia and dread as each guest questions whether the killer is man—or something else entirely. Though made on a modest budget, it has since earned cult status for its gothic flair and pre-noir mood.
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