Private Detective

Jane Wyman stars as an aggressive detective driving her fiance police detective Dick Foran nuts in "Private Detective" from 1939. The film also stars Dick Foran and Maxie Rosenbloom.

The story concerns the murder of a man (John Eldredge) who has won custody of his son after a court fight with his wife (Mona Dickson). She's a suspect, but there are others. The Wyman character is determined to find out whodunit.

Wyman was no less of a good actress when she became a brunette, but the roles she got were different. I absolutely love her as a blond, always have, and she seemed to get feistier roles that were more fun. Just an opinion. She was quite a talent - she could sing, act, and was a fine artist.

Fun, fast film, o the short side but that is perfect for a film of this type.

This is a fairly good B murder romance along the lines of the Torchy Blaine series (although the Torchy Blaine flicks were a tad more entertaining). It is obvious this early in her career that Jane Wyman is headed for star status which eventually earns her the Oscar for "Johnny Belinda." Dick Foran is actually better in a romantic police lieutenant lead than he was in the saddle. His singing cowboy westerns left much to be desired. And actually Slapsie Maxie Rosenbloom handles himself quite well as a comic foil, much better than many of his goofy, stupid counterparts in all those B detective movies of the 30's and early 40's. The story is not bad either and well-suited for its 55 minute time slot. A minute more would have been too long for this type movie, which in many ways is similar to the 30 to 60 minute TV shows of early television. Directors of today should learn that two hours or more is too long for most films. Much of the movie is routine but such talent before the camera makes it entertaining. If you enjoy the genre, then you should be pleased with this entry.

From 1937 to 1939, Warner Brothers made three Torchy Blane pictures every year. Each featured a smart lady detective, her smart but obviously less competent cop boyfriend and a crime. Sadly, however, the studio never stuck with any one actress--using three different ones. The last Torchy was played by Jane Wyman...and only a few months later the studio made "Private Detective"...which is identical to a Torchy Blane film except the names had been inexplicably changed. Perhaps this is because the studio thought that folks only wanted a Torchy film with Glenda Farrell (after all, she was the first and most prolific of the actresses playing the part) and so they decided to drop the names and begin somewhat anew.

When the story begins, a divorcing husband and wife are fighting in court for custody of their young son. It seems that the father wants the kid only because he's an heir to a fortune! Torchy, I mean Myrna (Wyman), realizes this is the case and she refuses to testify in the case against the mother. However, it's all moot as soon the father is killed....and a custody hearing isn't important any more. But the mother is assumed to be the perpetrator....and the sleazy attorney for the husband has just had himself appointed the kid's guardian! Can Torchy, I mean Myrna, sort all this out and prove to everyone who the killer is and can the boy be returned to his loving mother?

As I said, this one is pretty much a Torchy Blane film...though I must admit that Wyman was far less enjoyable and spunky than Farrell would have been in the role. That old Torchy Blane sarcasm seems missing here...though the story itself isn't too bad...even if it seems very obvious who the real crook is! And, for a quick B-movie it's actually very good.

Private Detective (1939)

*** (out of 4)

Surprisenly effective "B" picture from Warner about private (Jane Wyman) and homicide (Dick Foran) detectives, obviously dating, who are trying to find the killer of a millionaire. The homicide detective thinks it was the man's ex-wife who he was in a custody battle with but the private detective has her own thoughts. PRIVATE DETECTIVE is one of those low-budget films that studios were pumping out back in the day to fill up second bills or to try and push new talent onto film-goers. There's no question that I've seen dozens, if not hundreds, of these mystery movies but this one here is certainly among the most entertaining and it's a real shame that it's not better known. I'd also add that it's a shame Wyman and Foran didn't get to do this as a series because the duo have a terrific chemistry together and when they fight they seem like a real couple. Both stars do a very good job here and they certainly help sell the film. Even though it only runs 56-minutes there's a pretty good story here for them to work with. Wyman is extremely adorable in her part of the private detective who is constantly getting herself into trouble by trying to figure out the truth. Foran is also impressive in his part as the tough guy and he not only has great chemistry with Wyman but also Max Rosenbloom who plays his partner here. All three actors really help sell the film as does supporting players John Ridgely and Morgan Conway as a jerk lawyer. What also helps push the film over the edge is the very strong direction by Noel Smith. He certainly brings quite a bit of style to a film like this and I'd argue that it's the perfect example of a pre-noir. It's not too hard to figure out who the killer is but this doesn't hurt the film because the screenplay offers up several nice twist and turns along the way. Fans of the genre will certainly want to check this one out.

1939 is considered the top year for classic films from Hollywood with the release of Gone With the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, The Adventures of Robin Hood and countless others, however while all those masterworks were being created it's good to remember that the studios were still cranking out B programmers to fill the bill and this is as good an example of that as any.

Jane Wyman having worked her way through bits and supporting roles has one of her first leads here as Jinx Winslow, girl detective. She's cute and sprightly and in an interesting contrast she has a few scenes with the ill fated Gloria Dickson, a promising contract player until her sad death a few years later in a house fire at just 28. In their scenes the blush of stardom is all over Jane, not only is she far more animated than Gloria but she registers on screen in a way that Dickson does not and never would. A clear demonstration of star quality, Jane is vibrant whereas Gloria is flat, it doesn't help her though that she's made up in the most overdone and unflattering hair and makeup.

As for the rest of the movie and the cast, the story is nothing that hasn't been done a million times but it moves at a good clip and that blank wall of an actor Dick Foran takes up space like he always does, how he worked so much is a mystery