I expected to loathe this film...but, surprisingly, it wasn't all that bad. The musical performances aren't my cup of tea, and the comedy is so strained as to be embarrassing, but at its core this spooky old house story is fairly entertaining. Marking the only occasion on which Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi and Peter Lorre shared the screen (and the only time that Lugosi and Lorre appeared together at all), "You'll Find Out" benefits from RKO's high production values and director David Butler's willingness to let the three big-name horror stars play their parts straight despite the buffoonery taking place all around them. Lugosi is a turban-bedecked spiritualist who has attached himself to the eccentric aunt of a young heiress (pretty, personable Helen Parrish); Karloff is a distinguished judge who at least appears to be a friend of the family; Lorre is a phony professor who lurks in corners and is constantly lighting cigarettes. When screwy Kay Kyser and his band arrive at the aunt's creepy-looking Gothic mansion to perform for the heiress's 21st birthday party, shenanigans ensue.
Though it's no masterpiece, "You'll Find Out" is rendered watchable (and occasionally even fun) by the presence of Karloff, Lugosi and Lorre. At 97 minutes the film is a tad too long, but it had to be to make room for all those cringeworthy musical numbers.
Though it's no masterpiece, "You'll Find Out" is rendered watchable (and occasionally even fun) by the presence of Karloff, Lugosi and Lorre. At 97 minutes the film is a tad too long, but it had to be to make room for all those cringeworthy musical numbers.