Crack-Up (1936)

An interesting story but averagely executed.

An advanced new airliner is poised to cross the Atlantic for the first time, the designer Fleming (Ralph Morgan) and his test pilot Ace (Brian Donlevy) are preparing for the first flight to Europe. However, foreign powers are after the design and security is tight. Eccentric oddball Colonel Gimpy (Peter Lorre) hangs around the air field but he is ignored as he is considered harmless. That is a mistake as Gimpy is really the leader of a cell of enemy spies!

Ace is one of his men, to the shock of Fleming and the co-pilot Joe (Thomas Beck), when all is revealed during their flight. Naturally the flight doesn't go to plan, especially when Gimpy is found as a stowaway...

The premise is solid but the film is somewhat flawed. It also has some weird aspects to the plot, such as at the end when three of the crew decide to go down with their crashed plane instead of at least trying to swim for it! The film has some decent action scenes but can only be considered an watchable if not brilliant film. Peter Lorre's character is rather bizarre.

The Mysterious Miss X (1939)

This is an often silly but enjoyable murder mystery with some interesting twists.

Actors Keith Neville (Michael Whalen) and Dan Casey (Chick Chandler) are heading to New York after performing in a crime play. They stop off in a small town and immediately get involved in a murder that takes place in their hotel. Keith manages to get out of being a suspect when the honourable if unimaginative local police find his play props and think he really is a famous detective from Scotland Yard!

Reluctantly acting as a detective to try and avoid trouble, he ends up getting in deeper than he is comfortable with and gets involved with local girl Julie (Lynne Roberts), whose father is also a suspect in the murder. Much complicated and red herring filled crime drama follows.

This is a perfectly reasonable crime B-movie, the concept of actors accidentally becoming real detectives is an interesting one. There is a fair amount of humour but it just about strays the right side of the line between enhancing and destroying the plot. Whilst the film is mostly well trodden territory, the film is well worth your time.

Time Out for Murder (1938)

An enjoyable and breezy crime drama.

The first of the short Roving Reporter series, bank runner Johnny Martin (Robert Kellard) is accused of murdering Peggy Norton (Ruth Hussey). Reporter Barney Callaghan (Michael Whalan), photographer Snapper (Chick Chandler) and bill collector Margie Ross (Gloria Stuart) - who is dragged along - set out to try and prove Martin is innocent. Indeed suspicion seems to point to gangster Dutch Moran (Douglas Fowley) but one problem is that he is a pal of Barney...

This is a typical 1930s crime drama involving reporters, who of course give plenty of wise cracks and cheek the police. There is plenty of story squeezed in, sometimes light but also a bit of action too - even a car chase! One of the most interesting things about the film is the 1930s speaking clock, which is performed by a live speaker. A highly enjoyable film.

Daughter of the Tong (1939)

A middling crime B-movie that does the job... more or less.

FBI agent Dickson (Grant Withers) goes undercover to infiltrate the gang led by the Chinese gangster Carney (Evelyn Brent). Whilst successful, he stumbles upon a plot to extort money from Jerry Morgan (Dave O'Brien) and helps Morgan's sister Marion (Dorothy Short) as well as bring the weight of the authorities down on Carney's gang...

To be honest it is not a bad film though the low budget shows with the limited sets and repetitive action. The action is pretty average, in many fights it looks like the same punches are re-shown to pad the film out, a problem especially when the thrown punch obviously misses! 

The film is pretty run of the mill and doesn't have much not seen elsewhere many times. It is a decent watch but not much more though Carney is an interesting character which more could have been made of. The use of the Chinese Tongs might give the film a bit of novelty though only one character is actually Chinese!

Shadow of Chinatown (Serial) (1936)

A rather dreary serial, which even Bela Lugosi can't save.

A European import company is trying to put Chinese businesses out of action in Chinatown. The company is led by the Dragon Lady (Luana Walters) who hires Poten (Lugosi) to aid her. Poten is a mad racist who runs a string of crazy plans against the Chinese, foiled over and over again by keen reporter Joan (Joan Barclay) and her sweetheart Martin (Bruce Bennett)... oh and the police too. Things come to a head when Poten disguises himself as a Chinese waiter and plants to poison everyone at a banquet...

To be honest the final act is rather lame after a series of death defying cliff hangers which doesn't really make the struggle to get there that worthwhile. The serial isn't the most thrilling example in the genre, don't expect any death rays or other mad science. Do expect some rather awkward dialogue, sloppy execution (even by the usual standard of serials) and dated stereotypes. 

The Midnight Warning (1932)

Although at times this B-movie can be a bit rough around the edges, an interesting plot more than makes up for any short comings.

Dr Walcott (Hooper Atchley) meets his friend Cornish (William 'Stage' Boyd), the detective, at his hotel. Cornish tells him he has found something unusual in the hotel room fire place... a human ear bone! Then Walcott is shot by a sniper from outside the hotel (luckily just a glancing wound). Cornish and Walcott begin to investigate what is going on, the hotel management curiously seem to pooh-pooh the shooting. 

A young woman called Enid (Claudia Dell) is spotted at the house where the sniper was located. She was a former guest of the hotel but involved in a strange case where her brother went missing, the hotel management then acting like they didn't know her or that her brother had ever been there. The management are up to no good for sure, and kidnap Enid and lock her in a morgue...

Although the acting and staging is a little patchy at times and the pacing can be a bit slow, it doesn't really matter too much as the plot is really rather interesting and unusual. Quite why is a random sniper shooting at guests in the hotel? Where did Enid's brother go? The answer is pretty surprising.

Love Bound (1932)

At times a bit dreary but ultimately the voyage is worth it.

Wilson (Natalie Moorhead) is a gold digger and black mailer who gets involved with older rich married men and then threatens to wreck their families by telling about untrue affairs if they don't pay up. 

Businessman John Randolph is one such victim, but his wife wants to leave him already. The son, Richard (Jack Mulhall) persuades his mum to stay as dad is innocent and then he goes in pursuit of Wilson on an ocean voyage. He decides to pose as another sucker to prove Wilson's scheme...

So, naturally the story has a simple idea with various layers of complexity and characters of varying importance laid on. The film is difficult to get going but is fair enough when the voyage is progressing and does indeed have an exciting conclusion. 

Go-Get-'Em, Haines (1936)

A decent amateur detective caper set almost entirely on an ocean liner.

Haines (William Boyd) is the kind of reporter almost compulsory in 1930s and 1940s cinema: cocky, breezy and wise cracking! He is hunting after a business tycoon who has caused the ruination of many investors. He follows the man onto an ocean liner where he presumably is making his get away.

When the tycoon is killed in an amateur dramatic performance (don't ask), Haines is granted, despite not being an actual policeman, full rein by the captain (Lloyd Ingraham) to investigate and uncover the murderer. His investigation involves an awkward drunk, shifty crewmen aboard the liner and a love interest (Sheila Terry) of course.

This is typical of crime murder mysteries of the 1930s and 1940s. A mess of styles driven by a couple of charismatic leads. It doesn't really make a lot of sense with it's various red herrings and false starts but somehow works. Although its not that original, if we are to be honest, it has good performances and is light and very enjoyable.

Look Out Mr Moto (1938)

Mr Moto investigates rebels planning an insurgency in the Cambodian jungle.

After aviatrix Victoria Mason (Rochelle Hudson) is forced to abandon her plane over the Cambodian jungle she is found by the men of the Rajah (J Edward Bromberg). She is also seen by some American filmmakers (Robert Kent and Chick Chandler) and Mr Moto (Peter Lorre) who is an archaeologist (well we know he isn't really but it is interesting how he is undercover using his real name!)

After Victoria becomes a virtual captive by the Rajah who wants her for his wife, plus the Americans are condemned to death by the unscrupulous priest Bokor (George Regas) who has plans of his own to take power. Mr Moto poses as a holy man to save their lives but can he uncover the separate plots by both Bokor and the Rajah to rise in rebellion against the government?

So, this is a decent jungle adventure, though has little not seen before. It has the usual characters in films like this, including some needless comic relief and the "jungle" is padded out with some stock footage of wild animals. There are some surprises though including the real purpose of one of the main characters. A fine entry in the Mr Moto series.

In Old Santa Fe (1934)

Singing cowboys shenanigans in a contemporary Western (as in 1930s of course).

Kentucky (Ken Maynard) is a singing cowboy who gets involved in a horse race with his performing horse Tarzan. Unfortunately, the crooked gangster Chandler (Kenneth Thomson) and his friend Tracy (Wheeler Oakman) are also in town and Kentucky ends up being framed for murder and involvement in the robbery of a stagecoach. Kentucky needs the help of his sidekick Cactus (George Hayes)...

Not a bad western at all with some good good riding, decent humour (much in the form of sharp dialogue and wisecracks) and good tunes. Interestingly, Gene Autry sang the songs and this was his screen test.

Kelly of the Secret Service (1936)

A rather crude mystery that has everything but the kitchen sink thrown at it. Somehow it ultimately satisfies.

Dr Marston (Forrest Taylor) has developed some kind of death ray apparatus that can destroy military threats at a distance. Unfortunately, in the best movie tradition, the plans for the top secret weapon are kept lying on a desk with no security. A mysterious figure in a gas mask steals the plans!

Kelly (Lloyd Hughes) from the Secret Service is called in to investigate. He is suspicious of Marston's assistant Lesserman (Jack Mulhall) and secretary Sally Flint (Sheila Bromley). However, when a test warship is destroyed despite Marston's apparatus having been destroyed it is clear there is someone else involved and with a copy of the apparatus, the hunt now is on for Marston's former assistant Walsh (John Elliot) but how is he involved with Sally Flint?

Although the film is rather shoddily made with plenty of awkward pauses and wobby sets, plus the inclusion of Fuzzy Knight and Syd Saynor to provide some dubious comedy, the film is pretty good overall. As it includes death rays, military secrets, red herrings, hidden doors and secret panels it is like a greatest hits of 1930s mystery dramas!

Mysterious Mr. Moto (1938)

Mr Moto is on form on this adventure ranging from a French prison to the foggy streets of old London town.

In order to infiltrate a gang of assassins, Mr Moto (Peter Lorre) has himself incarcerated on Devil's Island. There he helps Paul (Leon Ames) to escape. 

Now in his confidence, Mr Moto travels with Paul to London to be his Japanese valet. Moto discovers a plot to kill the industrialist Anton Darvak (Henry Wilcoxon), however he doesn't know who the leader of the gang is and begins an investigation in the seedy side of London and also fine art...

This is an excellent instalment in the Mr Moto series with the Japanese detective having to employ his skills in disguise as well as fighting. The "English" accents are hilariously bad. The reveal of the evil mastermind is good, though probably predictable.

Mr. Moto's Gamble (1938)

Mr Moto cross overs into the Charlie Chan universe.

A boxer dies in the ring, it is later found that he was poisoned, the poison being found on the gloves of his opponent Bill Steele (Dick Baldwin), the death was to fix the fight so gangster Nick Crowder (Douglas Fowley) could make a ton of cash out of the bookies. Japanese detective Mr Moto (Peter Lorre) proves the boxer's death was murder but the search goes on to find out who was behind it.

Meanwhile Lee / Number One Son (Keye Luke) is attending a class by Mr Moto and in his bumbling way gets involved in the investigation... not that Mr Moto really needs any help.

This is a decent detective story, more sedate than Mr Moto adventures often are... more like a Charlie Chan story indeed. That is because this was supposed to be a Charlie Chan film but Warner Oland died early in the film's production and so the film was rewritten to be a Mr Moto film. But it does mean that Mr Moto and Charlie Chan did solve crimes at the same time if we want to get all modern day movie universe about it, it is just a shame of course they didn't get to meet.

Charlie Chan in Shanghai (1935)

One of the best Charlie Chan films with a sinister opium smuggling ring targeting Charlie a number of times.

Charlie (Warner Oland) is in Shanghai to investigate an opium smuggling ring. At a welcoming banquet, prominent local official Sir Stanley is killed by a booby trapped right in front of Charlie who begins the investigation. However, soon Charlie himself is in danger and kidnapped by a shadowy mob, though he is rescued by Number One Son (Keye Luke).

There are a number of suspects, could Philip Nash (Jon Hall) be behind the attempts on Charlie's life or is the ringleader someone completely unexpected...

An excellent and energetic entry in the Charlie Chan series with more action than often is the case, including a rather juicy flying leap by Number One Son. 

Gang Smashers (1938)

Somewhat baffling at times but fast paced gangster action in this race movie.

Laura (Nina Mae McKinney) is a gangster's moll and singer at his (Laurence Criner) club. However, all is not what it seems. Really she is an undercover agent seeking evidence to bring down the Harlem racket once and for all. Naturally this is a very dangerous enterprise, but she might have an unexpected ally.

This is a highly enjoyable film with plenty of cool swing and jazz. It also includes Mantan Moreland in an unusual role for him as a gangster's henchman, though he still plays it light to add some humour to the film. 

The low budget and iffy acting can make the story a little hard to follow at times but this is a solid film with an exciting action packed ending.

Gun Lords of Stirrup Basin (1937)

Romeo and Juliet on the range, a great Western.

Trouble is brewing between the ranchers and the homesteaders, the trouble being caused secretly by greedy crooked lawyer Bowdre (Karl Hackett). Son of the ranch boss Dan (Bob Steele) and daughter of a homesteader Gail (Louise Stanley) only have eyes for each other though. But when the guns start firing and the bodies start falling, newly married Dan and Gail find themselves caught between the two sides...

One of the better B-movie Westerns with a good story (maybe inspired by Shakespeare, i guess we'll never know) that isn't overshadowed by endless speeded up horse riding and fights - although you will get some of these. Super little film. Strange title though.

Frontier Scout (1938)

An above-average Western, decent enough without being too thrilling.

We start with the American Civil War, where Norris (Dave O'Brien) is comrades with Wild Bill Hickok (George Houston) and Whiney (Al St John). 

After the war, Bill and Whiney head west where the great cattle drives are starting up to feed the great demand for beef in the east. By now Norris is in the cattle business but his herds are going missing. Wild Bill and Whiney lend a hand...

The war scenes at the start of the film give it some novelty but the rest is pretty familiar 1930s/1940s Western fare. A good cast helps elevate the film beyond it's fairly mundane plot line though not by a huge amount.

False Pretenses (1935)

A fairly familiar subject maybe but nicely done.

Mary (Irene Ware), after being embarrassed by her drunken oaf boyfriend, loses her job as a waitress. She meets a rich former millionaire who is now skint (and stops him killing himself). Kenneth (Sidney Blackmer) and Mary concocts a plan where he will teach Mary how to be a refined lady and snag a rich husband (and she can pay him a finder's fee). Naturally, things don't go to plan...

So, a familiar story, poor girl learns how to be a rich girl. Its a pleasant little comedy with some decent performances and good chemistry between the lead pair. Witty dialogue especially early on makes the film, it does fall a little flat later on though the film is short enough for this not really to be a problem.

Murder with Pictures (1936)

An enjoyable crime caper, naturally with a wise cracking journalist like they always are in 1930s movies!

After crime boss Nate Girard (Onslow Stevens) is found not-guilty of murder, newspaper photographer Kent (Lew Ayres) gets on the story. At a party Nate holds to celebrate, a mysterious woman called Meg (Gail Patrick) confronts him. Later Meg turns up at Kent's apartment begging for help (he is in the shower at the time!) Redfield (Earnest Crossard), Nate's lawyer, was shot during a press photo call. In the confusion Meg fled and now she is suspected of carrying out the murder!

Kent decides to help Meg but he soon finds himself drugged (by Meg) and his apartment ransacked (by Nate's men). However, his friend and rival McGoogin (Paul Kelly) may have given him the clue to the identity of the real killer...

A fast moving film with some good performances though the plot at times is a little strange or far fetched. The sub-plot with Kent's annoying fiancé (Joyce Compton) doesn't really add anything to the film.

The Gold Racket (1937)

Straight forward but decent crime capers.

A gang is illegally importing gold from Mexico into the US and is willing to kill any Federal agents which get in the way. Alan (Conrad Nagel) is sent down to Mexico to find the location of the gang so the authorities can move in. His reporter girlfriend Bobbie (Eleanor Hunt) is left behind... for now.

The smuggled gold is traced to a mine, at a cantina nearby pilot Steve (Frank Milan) is able to buy his drinks with gold nuggets but Alan realises on a woman can get into Steve's confidence so he calls Bobbie down to sing in the cantina! Soon both of them are in deadly danger...

An enjoyable film, part of a short series featuring the characters Alan and Bobbie. Although the film is short it does drag at times as there is a bit of padding to the basic story. The plot won't tax you but the film is a fine watch, with some humour too especially from the cantina owner Fuzzy Knight.