...instead it is George Murphy who is the star - and not a dance step does he do. Instead he plays it all straight. He is a Hollywood gossip announcer for a broadcasting station and gets involved in a kidnapping which he uses as substance for his broadcasts. He also places himself in jeopardy by trying to solve the crime himself.
Sometimes it is all a bit much when we are asked to swallow stories such as these, but, like sheep we go along with it because we find it entertaining. Apart from Mr. Murphy's heroics we get a bevy of character actors such as Leon Ames who became rather avuncular later on in films, but in this is cast as a sophisticated gangster; El Brendel who parades around with a mop and a bucket, thankfully not too often and Charles Trowbridge as the father of the missing girl. Eduardo Ciannelli in a small role gives full vent to playing an arch villain. Dorothea Kent is the attractive female lead. She is Murphy's secretary and her dialogue makes it overt that she is in love with him - however he is cold to her.
The ending is a little unexpected, but I won't say how or why - you'll have to see for yourself.
Broadcasting stations must have had a lot of money in the old days. I was fascinated to see that there was an ensemble of musicians in the studio with Murphy to play him in and out - live - no gramophone records. They were also able to employ a boy to open and close doors.
A relatively good crime thriller and it doesn't outstay it's welcome either at 65 minutes.
