The Sphinx ** (1933, Lionel Atwill, Sheila Terry, Theodore Newton) – Classic Movie Review 13,836

The amusing 1933 low-budget black and white mystery thriller film The Sphinx stars Lionel Atwill and Sheila Terry.

Director Phil Rosen’s amusing 1933 Trem Carr Pictures/ Monogram Pictures low-budget Poverty Row black and white mystery thriller film The Sphinx stars Lionel Atwill, Sheila Terry and Theodore Newton.

Lionel Atwill takes on two roles – as a rotten killer and as his deaf and dumb brother who provides him with a cover for his dastardly deeds that include murder.

Newspaper society editor Jerry Crane (Sheila Terry) is fascinated by the deaf and dumb Mr Breen and on his case, and writes a series of articles about him, even after he is judged not guilty of a killing. But her newspaperman colleague Jack Burton (Theodore Newton), who is in love with her, is sceptical about Breen.

A minor Monogram suspenser with a cheap and cheerful production is given a big lift by Atwill on good form, and some well-handled scares, but it is humble and moderate in all other respects, yet still fun to watch.

Cast: Lionel Atwill as Jerome Breen, Sheila Terry as Jerry Crane, Theodore Newton as Jack Burton, Paul Hurst as Detective Terrence Aloysius Hogan, Luis Alberni as Luigi Baccigalupi, Robert Ellis as Inspector James Riley, Lucien Prival as the butler Jenks, Lillian Leighton as Mother Werner, Paul Fix as Dave Werner, George ‘Gabby’ Hayes as Detective Casey.

The Sphinx is directed by Phil Rosen, runs 64 minutes, is made by Trem Carr Pictures, is released by Monogram Pictures, is written by Albert DeMond, is shot by Gilbert Warrenton, is produced by Trem Carr and Albert S Rogell (producer).

Release date: June 1, 1933.

The film was remade by director William Beaudine as Phantom Killer in 1942.

American film producer Tremlet C Carr (November 6, 1891– August 18, 1946) co-founded Monogram Pictures in 1931.

© Derek Winnert 2026 – Classic Movie Review 13,836

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