Tough to Handle

Yes, it has the budgetary restrictions of the typical B-movie, and its ambitions are unapologetically limited, but this also has the strengths of a good B-movie. It's efficient, compact, and clearly designed to please. What's more, it's acted with surprising skill and conviction, especially by Harry Worth as the nightclub-owner whose sinister plottings are well hidden behind a suave and rather appealing exterior. Supporting-actor Oscar nominations have been won by performances not quite equal to this one. Frankie Darro makes a likable and energetic lead, (though a better haircut would help), and Kane Richmond -- destined to become a memorable "Spy Smasher" in the Saturday-matinée serials -- is appropriately stalwart and handsome, though perhaps a bit stiff. In fact, one problem with this movie is its division of its hero-role between these two quite different but equally appealing actors. True, the fights seem hokey and are utterly unconvincing but the song numbers are just good enough to keep you from running to the kitchen for a quick snack.