Pat O'Brien was a likable Irish bloke...but some time ago I came to the conclusion that despite his success in films, he wasn't a very good actor. This film confirms that. O'Brien seemed to often think that good acting = yelling and talking fast.
Nevertheless, this is a fairly interesting -- and slightly offbeat -- movie. Lewis Stone (yes, Andy Hardy's father) heads the city's missing persons' office; he does so with a sense of wisdom and compassion. Unfortunately, O'Brien -- a former robbery detective -- gets assigned to Stone's department and doesn't have much of an idea about what his new job is all about.
This film is a good example of how studios will make it sound as if one actor or actress is one of the stars of the film because of fame they achieved later. Here, it's Bette Davis who has a comparatively small role who almost appears to get top billing. It was at least 5 years before Bette Davis came into her own, and here she doesn't get into the film until 30 minutes into a 75 minute film. However, despite being clearly a supporting actress here, she is very good.
A surprise here is Hugh Herbert. Mostly we know him for his silly little giggle in many comedies. But here he plays it fairly straight as a missing persons detective. The funny Allen Jenkins plays another detective, not exactly his typical role; but it works. Ruth Donelly, a usually entertaining character actress, doesn't have much of a role for us to enjoy.
A great film? no. But different enough to be intriguing.
Nevertheless, this is a fairly interesting -- and slightly offbeat -- movie. Lewis Stone (yes, Andy Hardy's father) heads the city's missing persons' office; he does so with a sense of wisdom and compassion. Unfortunately, O'Brien -- a former robbery detective -- gets assigned to Stone's department and doesn't have much of an idea about what his new job is all about.
This film is a good example of how studios will make it sound as if one actor or actress is one of the stars of the film because of fame they achieved later. Here, it's Bette Davis who has a comparatively small role who almost appears to get top billing. It was at least 5 years before Bette Davis came into her own, and here she doesn't get into the film until 30 minutes into a 75 minute film. However, despite being clearly a supporting actress here, she is very good.
A surprise here is Hugh Herbert. Mostly we know him for his silly little giggle in many comedies. But here he plays it fairly straight as a missing persons detective. The funny Allen Jenkins plays another detective, not exactly his typical role; but it works. Ruth Donelly, a usually entertaining character actress, doesn't have much of a role for us to enjoy.
A great film? no. But different enough to be intriguing.