The Thirteenth Chair (1929) starring Bela Lugosi, directed by Tod Browning
To enjoy The Thirteenth Chair, the audience has to bear in mind that this is a very early sound picture, and make appropriate allowances. If you do that, you can enjoy the murder mystery. And especially the sight of Bela Lugosi as the police Inspector Delzante. He berates and threatens the witnesses to a murder. Thirteen witnesses, at a seance, sitting in thirteen chairs — hence the title. It should be mentioned that The Thirteenth Chair is directed by Tod Browning (Dracula, Freaks) — who brought Lugosi to worldwide fame only 2 years after this movie.
The police are called, and Bela Lugosi takes the screen — and his personality largely takes over the movie. Despite his thick Hungarian accent, he’s quite understandable. And enjoyable to watch, as he peels away alibis, proves the lies of the “psychic”. And — with her assistance — puts on a second seance, to reveal the murderer — or murderess.