1935s "Murder in The Red Barn", starring Tod Slaughter, is one of my all-time favourite films. All of his, "The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, et al, are ultra-melodramatic. Slaughter's acting is about as Hammy as they come. He makes George Arliss' acting seem realistic! All his films are like 1890s melodramatic stage plays. Despite the grim storylines, the viewer is much more likely to be rolling in the isles, bellylaughing, than having sympathetic feelings of fear for the heroine.
Link to the book:
Thriller Picture Library 171