This pre-Code WB production is typical of the period—a fast-talking lead, a batch of loose dames, a rather comical supporting cast, and an upbeat tempo.
As tough, aggressive cop named "Butch", O'Brien machine-guns his dialogue in pretty strident tones. Trouble is it does get tiresome. As Butch, he's sent over to Missing Persons Bureau from his former assignment to hopefully mellow out. Fat chance. Anyway, the screenplay weaves a number of missing person cases into the narrative, with the Bette Davis case being primary. An authoritative, no-nonsense Lewis Stone presides over the bureau that makes you believe he can handle the thuggish new guy. This was before Stone became enshrined in the Andy Hardy series. On the whole, Davis may get the billing but it's really O'Brien's movie.
With the comically adept likes of Farrell, Jenkins, Herbert, and Donnelly, there're a number of chuckles. But what I really like is that bit of business at the coffee bar, where condiments slide back and forth like hockey pucks. I wonder if that was director Del Ruth, a generally underrated craftsman with occasional flair. Despite the title, there's no mystery but there is some suspense near the end. All in all, the 73-minutes is more like a fabric of characters colorfully interwoven.
As tough, aggressive cop named "Butch", O'Brien machine-guns his dialogue in pretty strident tones. Trouble is it does get tiresome. As Butch, he's sent over to Missing Persons Bureau from his former assignment to hopefully mellow out. Fat chance. Anyway, the screenplay weaves a number of missing person cases into the narrative, with the Bette Davis case being primary. An authoritative, no-nonsense Lewis Stone presides over the bureau that makes you believe he can handle the thuggish new guy. This was before Stone became enshrined in the Andy Hardy series. On the whole, Davis may get the billing but it's really O'Brien's movie.
With the comically adept likes of Farrell, Jenkins, Herbert, and Donnelly, there're a number of chuckles. But what I really like is that bit of business at the coffee bar, where condiments slide back and forth like hockey pucks. I wonder if that was director Del Ruth, a generally underrated craftsman with occasional flair. Despite the title, there's no mystery but there is some suspense near the end. All in all, the 73-minutes is more like a fabric of characters colorfully interwoven.