Philo Vance Returns (1947)

Philo Vance is called in to discover who killed a playboy, unfortunately there are many potential suspects!

Larry (Damien O'Flynn) is shocked when his fiancé radio singer Virginia (Ramsay Ames) is shot dead, though he doesn't have long to mourn as he shot himself a few minutes later! Larry has had time to call his friend Philo Vance (William Wright) who begins to investigate on behalf of Larry's grandmother Stella (Clara Blandick). 

Vance is assisted by Karnoff (Leon Belasco) who was Virginia's manager. Larry had a number of ex-s all of whom have a motive as they would be beneficiaries in his will. Vance and Karnoff continue with their complicated investigation, however maybe the actual culprit is a lot closer to home...

This is an excellent Philo Vance film, a good crime plot with plenty of red herrings and twists and turns. Although the film does not have much you will not have seen before it is all very competently done.

The Saint's Vacation (1941)

The Saint goes on a romp across Europe (suspiciously un-war torn) in pursuit of a mysterious box.

The Saint (Hugh Sinclair) and Monty (Arthur Macrae) go to Switzerland on holiday, pursued by the reporter Mary (Sally Gray) who is desperate for a story. 

However, his holibobs are soon cut short by the appearance of a strange box which various people including The Saint's arch-enemy Hauser (Cecil Parker). The box, when finally opened, reveals that it holds a music box. The Saint thinks this is the key to a secret code, of great value...

This is a typically fast moving B-movie of the period, played light and fast though unexpectedly dark at times (with a number of pointless deaths and a bit of torture). The film is a reasonable watch though not executed very well at times.

Shake Hands with Murder (1944)

A joyously fast moving and bright and breezy crime drama.

Patsy (Iris Adrian) and Eddy (Frank Jenks) are bail bonders who take on accused embezzler Steve Morgan (Douglas Fowley). When Steve goes missing Patsy and Eddy go in search of him, when they discover the dead body of one of Steve's colleagues then they wonder if Steve is a murderer as well as an embezzler. 

Patsy ends up with Steve at a distant house, finally convinced of his innocence. Then she and Eddy have to help Steve find the real criminal, which somehow involves a suit of armour...

A fine B-movie, a fast moving plot starring some perky characters. The plot does include a number of well-worn cliches but it is well presented and the film overall is highly entertaining.

The House of Fear (1945)

Sherlock Holmes in a rather intriguing case in a dark house up in the Highlands.

A group of friends meet at a house in the Highlands, then one by one they receive a mysterious envelope containing orange pips and then die in a horrific manner which leaves little trace of the body! Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone) and Dr Watson (Nigel Bruce) head to investigate this intriguing case. The case is indeed very baffling, with several suspects though these are whittled down as they become the latest victims!

This is a good film with an excellent twist, though one common fact about all of the murders was a strong indicator about what was really going on (i read a lot of detective novels!) This is a good entry in the Rathbone-Bruce Sherlock Holmes series and a solid Dark House mystery, though Dr Watson's buffoonery is dialled a bit high at times. 

The Lone Wolf Takes a Chance (1941)

The reformed jewel thief The Lone Wolf returns in a complicated chase to retrieve money printing plates and save their creator.

The Lone Wolf Michael Lanyard (Warren William) has a bet with his nemesis Inspector Crane (Thurston Hall) that he can't stay out of trouble. Naturally it doesn't take long for the Lone Wolf to get into strife (though to be fair it largely finds him). A gang has kidnapped the designer of some engraving plates owned by the US Treasury and plan to use him to beat the security and make off with the plates. The Lone Wolf is accused of murder by Crane (which the gang really did). The Lone Wolf and Jamison (Eric Blore) begin a chase across the country to catch the gang and prove the Lone Wolf's innocence.

A fine entry in the Lone Wolf series with the usual fast paced antics and interplay between the main characters. The story is interesting bringing in elements of train chase adventures, dark country house mysteries and some twists with the identities of the bad guys. The plot has some questionable elements but the film moves so quickly it doesn't really get bogged down by anything.

Murder in the Music Hall (1946)

A somewhat dry crime drama is enlivened by ice dancing.

Ice dancer Lila (Vera Ralston) meets her former producer (Edward Norris) in his apartment and turns down his offer of appearing in his new show. When she returns to the music hall she realised she left her bag behind so returns with Don (William Marshall) the orchestra leader and Lila's beau. 

They discover the producer has been stabbed to death! They discover a glove and trace it to a married socialite Rita (Nancy Kelly) who later admits she was in the apartment but he was living and breathing when she left! Lila and Don try and track down the killer before the police close in...

This is a fine if slightly static crime drama, it is boosted by some tasty ice dance performances. The acting can be a bit iffy at times but the film generally looks great and has plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing.

The Crimson Canary (1945)

Time for some cool jazz, and a murder mystery.

Danny Brooks (Noah Beery Jr) has a jazz band that are preparing to head onto San Francisco. However, the corpse of singer Anita Lane, who had fractious relationships with most of the band, (Claudia Drake) is discovered in the dressing room. 

The band, not knowing what happened or who killed Anita though Johnny (Danny Morton) was also in the room but discovered out cold and not knowing what happened, decide to run for it. Club owner Vic Miller (Steve Geray) calls on detective Roger Quinn (John Litel), who just so happens to like cool jazz, is on the case and after the band...

This is a decent crime film with a Noir-ish edge. A solid (if not spectacular) piece of police work interspersed with a number of jazz songs. 

Secrets of the Lone Wolf (1941)

The Lone Wolf is in action again, using his skills as a former jewel thief to foil a dastardly plot to steal foreign valuables and affecting the war effort.

An unnamed European country has sent valuable jewels to the US to sell so they can continue their fight against the bad guys. The Lone Wolf Michael Lanyard (Warren William) is bought in to use his experience as a former top jewel thief to assist with security. 

Unfortunately, a syndicate of thieves are after the jewels. They want to recruit the Lone Wolf but mistake his valet Jamison (Eric Blore) for him (none of them knew what he looked like?) The Lone Wolf has to keep Jamison safe, as well as the jewels, and keep Inspector Crane (Thurston Hall) off his back!

A fine entry in the Lone Wolf series with the usual mix of rapid fire plot twists and swerves. It is best to ignore the plot holes and coincidences and just enjoy the smooth and comfortable performances by the leads. 

City of Missing Girls (1941)

An involving drama involving missing girls dragged into the world of vice that thankfully avoids too much exploitation and sleaze.

Many girls are going missing in the city, it is assumed they are being dragged into the seedy world of night clubs and escorting. Veteran detective McVeigh (H.B. Warner) is plugging away on the cases but has yet to get any leads, new assistant DA James Horton (John Archer) is under pressure to get results. 

Meanwhile, perky young reporter Nora Page (Astrid Allwyn) is also investigating... though she doesn't know her father is involved along with brutal gangster and nightclub owner King Peterson (Philip Van Zandt)...

A fine film, though the start is a little unpromising with some jarring direction and awkward acting early on. Happily, once the film warms up then so do the performances and the film has a good and interesting plot with some good twists.

A Close Call for Boston Blackie (1946)

Another Boston Blackie film, although high on humour the crime involved does have a dark heart.

Boston Blackie (Chester Morris) gets involved with one of his old flames Geraldine (Lynn Merrick) who was menaced by thugs, she also leaves a small child in his house! Her husband is shot dead in Blackie's home and of course Inspector Farraday (Richard Lane) suspects Blackie. Blackie escapes (again of course) and tries to unravel what is really going on. He finds the truth behind Geraldine and the child is a lot darker than he first thought...

A fun film, the usual Boston Blackie tropes and antics, including a lot of running around. Blackie and the Runt (George E Stone) both get to dress up and as usual no one can see though Blackie's rather flimsy disguise. Maybe a bit too familiar but a good show all the same.

The Shadow Returns (1946)

A complicated crime romp involving The Shadow.

Lamont (Kane Richmond) aka The Shadow investigates a mysterious plot involving diamonds smuggled in diamonds, mysterious deaths and a group of people who seem to spend all of their lives in the one room of a mansion. The Shadow is assisted by Margo (Barbara Reed) and Shevvie (Tom Dugan) - well maybe saying Shevvie was any assistance at all might be being very kind to him!

This is not that good a film, it really goes nowhere and switches between the same three locations for the most part. The film is saved by the charisma of the leads, who make a good unit but they can't do anymore than at least make the film perfectly watchable. 

The Shadow, in his radio drama days, had super hypnotic powers. In this film though he just wears a hat and a mask.

Cry of the City (1948)

A hard Noir, a battle of wits between cop and criminal on the tough streets.

Martin (Richard Conte) has been arrested for shooting a policeman, however the lawyer Niles (Berry Kroeger) wants Martin to also take the blame for the brutal robbery of an old woman for jewels. Martin escapes custody, though badly wounded. 

Lieutenant Candella (Victor Mature) leads the hunt for Martin, but Martin is also interested in why Niles wanted him to take the rap for the jewel theft...

A great film, tough and gritty. The two leads are pushed to their limits in their relentless cat and mouse chase. Childhood friends Martin and Candella are both highly similar (both Italian background from the same streets) but also so different in outlook and eventual outcome too. Only one can come out of this alive. 

An excellent example of the Noir genre.

The Millerson Case (1947)

Crime doctor Dr Ordway finally manages to get away on vacation, unfortunately it turns into a real busman's holiday.

Dr Ordway (Warner Baxter) heads to rural West Virginia to do some hunting, however immediately he is drawn into problems in the small town. Firstly, a typhoid outbreak and then a murder investigation after the local barber dies of poisoning. 

Ordway begins his investigation, unfortunately due to the victim being a bit of a romeo everyone in town seems to be potentially a suspect! The local doctor (Addison Richards) is also shot dead as Ordway closes in on the culprit...

A fine crime drama with a complicated plot full of red herrings and twists. This was the eighth film starring the Dr Ordway character and a great entry in the series. 

Ellery Queen, Master Detective (1940)

Although the character had appeared in a couple of earlier films, this was the first of a new series of Ellery Queen films in the 1940s.

The owner of a fitness company John Braun (Fred Niblo) falls ill suddenly and writes a new will cutting out his daughter. Nikki Porter (Margaret Lindsay) meanwhile wants to see Braun, to try and help improve relations between Braun and his estranged daughter (Marsha Hunt). While she is waiting for Braun, she finds herself locked in a room. When she gets out she finds Braun has been stabbed, but the murder weapon is missing. Amateur detective Ellery Queen (Ralph Bellamy) knows Nikki will be the number one suspect and helps hide her from the law while trying to find the murderer himself...

An enjoyable film, bright and breezy with some good charismatic lead performances and a fast moving plot. 

The Lone Wolf Strikes (1940)

The reformed jewel thief is called upon to dust off his old skills.

After a valuable string of pearls is stolen from a rich banker, who later dies in a mysterious accident, his daughter Delia (Joan Perry) employs the reformed jewel thief Lanyard (Warren William) aka the Lone Wolf to recover them and find out what happened to her father. 

A complicated romp ensues as the Lone Wolf impersonates a fence to infiltrate the criminal gang and switch the real pearls with fakes. However, an unexpected accomplice close to Delia threatens to derail the whole case...

This is a fine film, a typical B-movie with masses of plot squeezed into a short running time. There is some peril but everything is kept light and fast moving.

Black Angel (1946)

A dark murder mystery with some seedy characters but a big twist.

After singer Mavis Marlowe (Constance Dowling) is found dead, Kirk Bennett (John Phillips) - who was spotted at the scene - is arrested for the crime and later convicted. Kirk's wife Catherine (June Vincent) believes he is innocent and enlists the help of Marlowe's ex-husband and songwriter Martin Blair (Dan Durylea) for help. Unfortunately Blair has a drinking problem but he manages to pull things together and help. 

Night club owner (and suspected gangster) Marko (Peter Lorre) was also seen nearby while the crime took place and he is the prime suspect of Catherine and Martin. They pretend to be a singing duo and get a job in his bar so they can try and get evidence of his crime. However, things do not turn out as they hope...

A well put together film that moves at a good pace and has an interesting plot. The mains all give good performances especially Lorre's sinister Marko.

Confessions of Boston Blackie (1941)

A rare Roman statue becomes the unusual centre of an art theft and murder case.

Diane (Harriet Nelson) puts a rare Roman statue, the last heirloom of her family, up for auction. However, an unscrupulous gang create a copy of the statue. At the auction, Diane notices something is fishy with the fake statue but before she can reveal this someone tries to shoot her. Luckily Boston Blackie (Chester Morris) is at the auction and shoots the gunman first. Unfortunately in the confusion no one knows what really happened and Inspector Faraday (Richard Lane) arrests Blackie for the attempted murder of Diane!

Of course Blackie gets away from the hapless Faraday and seeks to clear his name and find out what is really going on, this leads to a showdown in the gang's rather elaborate underground lair.

A great early instalment in the Boston Blackie series. The usual fast moving mix of snappy cheeky dialogue, slightly implausible situations and plot holes.

The Falcon in Hollywood (1944)

Another in the long-running Falcon series, this time taking a behind the scenes look at the magic of Hollywood.

The Falcon (Tom Conway) goes after a young woman who has accidentally taken the purse of his friend. He trails her to a movie studio and discovers she is the actress Peggy Callaghan (Barbara Hale). While at the studio backlot, The Falcon hears a gunshot, but this isn't part of a movie script! A real murder has taken place and somehow involves the pretentious producer Dwyer (John Abbott), Peggy and a gangster.

The Falcon is helped (or hindered) by taxi driver Billie (Veda Ann Borg) and definitely hindered by the law in this typically fast paced and light crime romp. A fine film, the behind the scenes look at the movie making business is always interesting and avoids being too self-indulgent.

The Echo Murders (1945)

A rip roaring Sexton Blake adventure, don't expect half measures!

An explosion at a mine causes the owner (Julien Mitchell) to sack the manager (Dennis Price), his daughter's (Pamela Stirling) beau. The owner is being blackmailed by his secretary. The owner is murdered, suspicion falls on the ex-manager but Sexton Blake (David Farrar) is called in to investigate. He begins to unravel a complicated plot which eventually leads to Nazi fifth columnists in their underground lair.

This isn't a subtle film but Sexton Blake adventures were very much Boy's Own adventures which were all about daring do and death defying action rather than careful investigation. There is probably a little too much adventure packed into this film, at times it is hard to follow what is going on though it all leads up to the expected final battle. It is nonsense of course but i loved it, Sexton Blake adventures were my great-grandfather's favourite so i guess it's in the blood!

Meet Boston Blackie (1941)

The first of fourteen Boston Blackie films made in the 1940s starring Chester Morris.

Boston Blackie (Morris), the famous former jewel thief, has arrived back in New York on the trans-Atlantic ocean liner. He tries to strike up a conversation with fellow passenger Marilyn (Constance Worth) but is rebuffed, but soon he discovers the dead body of a man who had been hassling her in his cabin! With Inspector Faraday (Richard Lane) keen to question him for some jewel thefts, Blackie gives the law the slip in order to pursue Marilyn.

He tracks her to Coney Island amusement park, amid the freak shows Marilyn is killed by some men. Boston Blackie now has to clear his name and unravel a complicated plot involving enemy agents and US Navy technology... and a man who pretends to be a robot.

The first in the series, not everything is as smooth as some of the other entries in the series, there is a bit less humour and charm by Blackie. The Runt is also played by a different actor (Charles Wagenheim). Rochelle Hudson plays Blackie's charming female assistant. This is an enjoyable B-movie crime romp though and you can see why it led to a lengthy series.