Movie Review: A Shriek in the Night (1933) directed by Albert Ray This movie delivers on the title right after the credits as wealthy philanthropist Adam Harker (uncredited) plunges screaming to his death from the skyscraper apartment building he lived in. The obvious assumption is that he fell from the balcony of his penthouse. So it’s… Continue reading Movie Review: A Shriek in the Night
Tag: secretaries
Movie Review: Too Many Winners
Movie Review: Too Many Winners (1947) directed by William Beaudine Private eye Michael Shayne (Hugh Beaumont) and his secretary Phyllis Hamilton (Trudy Marshall) have been invited for a duck hunting vacation with one of her relatives. Phyllis is looking forward to this, so is irritated when Gil Madden (Ben Welden) enters, looking like a client. She… Continue reading Movie Review: Too Many Winners
Magazine Review: Spicy Mystery Stories June 1936
Magazine Review: Spicy Mystery Stories June 1936 by various creators As I’ve previously mentioned, the “spicy” pulps were racy for their time, with descriptions of women’s breasts and thighs, and it being obvious that the characters are having sex, but never actually describing the sex or genitals. This particular magazine, despite the title, has little… Continue reading Magazine Review: Spicy Mystery Stories June 1936
Movie Review: Three on a Ticket
Movie Review: Three on a Ticket (1947) directed by Sam Newfield Private investigator Michael “Mike” Shayne (Hugh Beaumont) has just arrived at his office when his secretary Phyllis “Phil” Hamilton (Cheryl Walker) tells him he has an appointment with a prospective client, Jim Lacy (Brooks Benedict). Lacy is a private eye from the East Coast that… Continue reading Movie Review: Three on a Ticket
Movie Review: The Case of the Velvet Claws
Movie Review: The Case of the Velvet Claws (1936) directed by William Clemens Perry Mason (Warren Williams) invades the night court of Judge Mary F O’Daugherty (Clara Blandick) with an urgent matter–marrying his secretary, Della Street (Claire Dodd)! As the happy couple pose for the press photographers, Perry announces his retirement from criminal law. From now… Continue reading Movie Review: The Case of the Velvet Claws
Movie Review: Larceny in Her Heart
Movie Review: Larceny in Her Heart (1946) directed by Sam Newfield Noted private detective Michael Shayne (Hugh Beaumont) and his adoring if sarcastic secretary Phyllis “Phil” Hamilton (Cheryl Walker) are five minutes away from starting a two-week vacation visiting her aunt in Niagra. Naturally, that’s when a wealthy would-be client walks through the door. Burton Stallings… Continue reading Movie Review: Larceny in Her Heart
Movie Review: The Casino Murder Case
Movie Review: The Casino Murder Case (1935) directed by Edwin L. Marin We begin our story with urbane amateur detective Philo Vance (Paul Lukas) fencing with his manservant Currie (Eric Blore). This is part of Vance’s recent exercise kick, and Currie has been dragged into it as well. More relevantly to the plot, an anonymous letter… Continue reading Movie Review: The Casino Murder Case
Movie Review: Boys of the City
Movie Review: Boys of the City (1940) directed by Joseph H. Lewis Summer, 1940. New York City is in the middle of a scorching heatwave. “Knuckles” Dolan (Dave O’Brien) is worried about his kid brother Danny Dolan (Bobby Jordan) and his gang of underprivileged youths. It’s been too hot for them to exercise and blow off… Continue reading Movie Review: Boys of the City
Movie Review: Ghostbusters (1984)
Movie Review: Ghostbusters (1984) directed by Ivan Reitman The parapsychology department at Columbia University in New York City is small, consisting of three men. They are Dr. Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Dr. Raymond Stantz (Dan Ackroyd) and Dr. Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis). While the other two are serious and dedicated paranormal researchers, Dr. Venkman as head… Continue reading Movie Review: Ghostbusters (1984)
Movie Review: Maigret and the St. Fiacre Case (1959)
Movie Review: Maigret and the St. Fiacre Case (1959) directed by Jean Delannoy (French title: Maigret et l’affaire Saint-Fiacre) It’s difficult to imagine, but Jules Maigret (Jean Gabin) was not always a police commissioner. As a boy, he lived in the rural village of Saint-Fiacre, where his father was the steward for the chateau of the… Continue reading Movie Review: Maigret and the St. Fiacre Case (1959)