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.

The Crime of Helen Stanley (1934)

An enjoyable crime drama featuring an ingenious murder weapon.

Helen Stanley (Gail Patrick) is a top movie actress, though rather haughty with it, and she has plenty of enemies. When she is shot during the filming of a scene in a movie there are plenty of suspects for Inspector Trent (Ralph Ballamy) to work his way through! One prime suspect is Helen's former lover Lee (Kane Richmond) who has now taken up with her sister Betty (Shirley Gray). Another is Helen's ex-husband Wallach (Steven Chase) who confesses to the murder before shooting himself though afterwards he is ruled out.

However, a key problem with the crime is where the shot came from. All pistols on set are eliminated, somehow the shot came from somewhere else...

This is a good crime drama, Inspector Trent featured in a short series of films in the 1930s and was portrayed in a largely humourless and straight-to-business manner, which makes this film stand out from many 1930s crime B-movies! A good and inventive plot.

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 Sign of Four (1932)

An early Sherlock Holmes talkie. In what is billed as Holmes' greatest case he has to save a young woman from an escaped murderer who is after treasure.

Years before in a prison in the tropics, Small (Graham Soutten) makes a deal with two of the prison officers. He will tell them where his stashed treasure is in return for their help in escaping. The officers Sholto (Miles Malleson) and Morstan (Edgar Norfolk) find the treasure but then Sholto kills Morstan and returns to England keeping all of the loot for himself!

Now in the present, Sholto is living comfortably off the proceeds of the treasure but hears that Small has escaped. Sholto dies of shock when he sees Small, before that he admits his dark secret to his sons and tells them that Morstan has a daughter (Isla Bevan). The sons, being weak willed, tell Small about the daughter who finds herself in peril. She turns to the famous Sherlock Holmes (Arthur Wontner) and Dr Watson (Ian Hunter) for help.

This is a fine film that stays truer to the Arthur Conan Doyle idea of Holmes than some later adaptations being more restrained and thoughtful. Although the early talkie can be a bit hard to follow at times the story is portrayed very well and quite atmospheric. 

The Saint's Girl Friday (1953)

The Saint returns in a rather murky tale of illegal gambling, seedy clubs and revenge.

The Saint Simon Templar (Louis Hayward) returns to England after a call for help from his socialite friend, before he can arrive she has died in a "car accident" (assisted by being chased by hoodlums). 

The Saint knew his friend had a gambling habit and was probably in debt, he begins his investigation then in the underground gambling scene (gambling being illegal in the UK at the time) in 1950s London. His investigation leads him to the brutal River Gang who seem to be behind his friend's death and much more besides...

This is a decent film, rather grubby and hard for a British film of the period. It also is an interesting view of England still recovering from the war. The plot can be a bit slow at times though. See Diana Dors in an early role.

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. 

Bulldog Jack (1935)

A fast paced and humorous crime romp in the Bulldog Drummond series, even if Drummond himself doesn't appear much in it.

While on his way to London to meet with a mysterious lady, Bulldog Drummond (Atholl Fleming) is injured in a car crash after unscrupulous criminals tamper with his car. He enlists the help of the guy whom he crashed into, Jack (Jack Hulbert), to impersonate him and listen to what the woman who is waiting for Drummond has to say. Jack relishes the chance for some excitement, well until there actually is some excitement then he isn't that keen... 

His adventures, along with Algy (Claude Hulbert), take him into a plot by Morelle (Ralph Richardson) to copy stolen jewels after kidnapping the grandfather of Ann (Fay Wray). After much flapping about and sometimes aimless escapades everyone finds themselves on board a stolen tube train being driven at speed seemingly to it's doom!

It is all played very light, unfortunately this can make the film a bit unbearable at times as it approaches (and roars past) self-parody. However, the film flies along at such a speed that dull or awkward bits do not last very long. A fun fact with this film is that the villain (Richardson) actually plays Bulldog Drummond in the previous year's The Return of Bulldog Drummond! Algy is played by Jack's real-life brother. 

The view of the 1930s London Underground is very interesting, including scenes from the (then) recently closed British Museum station.

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 Lone Wolf in Paris (1938)

One of the earlier Lone Wolf talkies, a different actor plays the reformed jewel thief but the fast moving action will be very familiar.

The Lone Wolf Michael Lanyard (Francis Lederer) is a reformed jewel thief, who always seems to get involved in other people's troubles. This time he gets roped in to help Princess Thania (Frances Drake) who is trying to steal back jewels which will be needed for her family's coronation ceremony. A group of financiers are holding the jewels and won't sell them back, hoping to bring down Thania's royal house. 

The Lone Wolf and his trusty butler Jenkins (Olaf Hytten) help Thania in her efforts to retrieve the jewels, however the group have many tricks up their sleeves making things difficult. Luckily, the Lone Wolf has more tricks up his sleeves!

Francis Lederer only played the Lone Wolf once before the role switched to Warren William who made the next nine films with the character. Lederer's Lone Wolf is similar though has a slightly more reserved European suaveness to him. An entertaining film.

What a Carve Up! (1961)

A highly enjoyable comedy crime drama, at times it verges on Carry On territory but thats no bad thing.

Ernie (Kenneth Connor) is told his rich uncle has died by a somewhat sinister solicitor (Donald Pleasance). Ernie heads off to his uncle's country pile with his mate Syd (Sid James), a lonely looking house in the moors. Ernie's fellow family members are a motley crew of weirdos. Then the deaths start happening...

Ernie, Syd and the rest, including the uncle's former nurse (Shirley Eaton) scramble to try and work out what is going on in the strange house and stop the murderer. However, they need to identify who it is first. Surely it must be one of the family members present or is it, in this house riddled with secret doors and passageways...

This is a fine film, most of the time it isn't laugh out loud funny rather than humorous and inventive but it does have it's slapstick and ridiculous moments especially with Connor and James. It has plenty of twists too, it works as a dark house crime drama as well.

London by Night (1937)

A stereotypical foggy London and awful accents can't spoil this pretty solid crime drama.

London based US reporter Michael (George Murphy) delays his holiday to Paris to look in on a strange case of an umbrella wielding criminal who has apparently done away with someone. A policeman is also shot by the mysterious man. 

While taking a look, with his trusty dog (Corky), and after chasing a man with a brolly, Michael encounters Patricia (Rita Johnson) the daughter of a rich businessman (Montague Love). Somehow the businessman's house, or someone from the household in any event, is involved in the Umbrella Man case and Michael wants to court Patricia in any case. With the help of Inspector Jefferson (George Zucco), though shouldn't that be the other way around, Michael tracks down the mysterious Umbrella Man who is employing all number of tricks to stay ahead of the law...

A fine crime drama with plenty of twists and turns. London is eternally foggy and dark though that helps with the sinister atmosphere of course. The accents can be quite something, but not in a good way. The villain is very good and the crimes are inventive. Though the ending of the film is somewhat rushed.

Prison Shadows (1936)

A boxing-crime drama which rather pulls it's punches.

Gene (Eddie Nugent) is a boxer who is in prison for killing a man in the ring. He is released from prison and bought back into the fight game by an unscrupulous promoter (Forest Taylor) and his partner Claire (Lucile Lund) whom Gene has the hots for and thus Claire is able to wrap him around her little finger, much to the disappointment of Mary (Joan Barclay) who really loves Gene. Gene kills another man in the ring but it seems there are illegal drugs being used and a plot by the promoter to use death to build up Gene's name...

This isn't a great film, though is perfectly watchable for what it is. The story doesn't make a lot of sense plus Gene is incredibly naive which makes it hard to root for him as the main character. 

No more than OK, it wouldn't win any prizes though does have a clever dog (Corky) in the film who is the real hero.

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. 

The Vanishing Shadow (Serial) (1934)

A fun movie serial packed full of mad science.

Stanley Stanfield (Onslow Stevens) and Carl Van Dorn (James Durkin) have developed a device which can make the wearer invisible (apart from their shadow). After Stanley is framed for murder by the dangerous Wade Barrett (Walter Miller) and his henchman Dorgan (Richard Cramer), Stanley and Carl begin to use their invention, plus a few other devices, to find the evidence to bring Barrett down. Stanley is also going out with Gloria (Ada Ince), who is Barrett's estranged daughter...

So, you know the score. Fast paced action punctuated by a series of cliffhangers, of varying degrees of believability. The biggest fun of this serial is the science though, including Van Dorn's robot invention which proves to be able to defeat gangsters with ease. This serial also has a bit of a heart too, and a redemption story. Highly enjoyable.

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.

Bulldog Drummond in Africa (1938)

Bulldog Drummond's marriage to Phyllis has to be delayed yet again, but this time because Colonel Neilson has been kidnapped and is now in Africa...

Neilson (H.B. Warner) of Scotland Yard is kidnapped by a notorious criminal called Lane (J. Carrol Naish). Phyllis (Heather Angel), who is due to marry Bulldog Drummond (John Howard) that very day, discovers Lane's plot and warns Drummond. 

Unfortunately, they are too late to stop Lane take Neilson to his lair in Morocco where he wants the details of a secret weapon to sell to his client. Drummond and company follow on (always handy to have your own aeroplane). Lane hides out in a fortified house, guarded by hungry lions. He also had crooked staff at the consulate to assist him including Fordine (a young Anthony Quinn).

This is a fun romp, plenty of fast moving adventures which culminates in a death defying fight on a balcony while a lion roars below. It isn't high art but it is very effective.

House of Danger (1934)

An enjoyable and effective crime drama.

Don (Onslow Stevens) and Ralph (James Bush) are returning to the US from the South Seas after years away, Ralph returning home after the unexpected death of his father. After an accident on board their ship, Ralph is injured. 

With Ralph's blessing Don poses as Ralph to go home, though he encounters Ralph's long-standing fiancée Sylvia (Janet Chandler) and falls in love with her. However, it is Don who is soon put in danger as it appears that the butler Gordon (Desmond Roberts) and Ralph's cousin Martin (John Andrews) are up to no good...

Although it is pretty clear from the off who the villains are, this is a fine crime drama with some good performances (though not universally, some of the dialogue can be a bit stilted at times) and a decent plot. 

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.