The Fat Man

This Movie, Fashioned from a Long-Running (341 Episodes) Radio-Mystery.

The Show Featured the Detective of the Title and J. Scott Smart Transformed the Role to this Film.

Fans could Now put a Face to the Suave, Cultured, Rotund Crime-Solver.

This Dashiell Hammett's Character can Claim to be the Opposite of His "Mega-Star, the "The Thin Man".

But Didn't Click On-Screen and the Film Failed to Become a Series.

No-Doubt Television Took On the Source of Many B-Movies.

Detective-Series Radio Now Detective-Series TV.

This Movie had the Foundations of a Very Smart and Fun Film-Series.

William Castle Directed with His Seasoned B-Movie Credentials.

J. Scott Smart Successfully Cultivated the Character on Radio and seems Natural On-Screen.

Bringing a Sense of Humor, Type, and a Certain Confidence Despite His Over-Size.

However, one of the Film's Shortcomings is the Over-Reliance on Comedy Relief.

Rock Hudson in His First Real Performance is Fine as an Actor, and as was Said at the Time...

"The Camera Loves Him"

Also of Note, the Cast Includes...

Jayne Meadows (the Honeymooners Wife of Ralph Kramden, Alice.

Julie London, Exotic, Sultry Recording Star.

John Russell went on to have a Successful Career as an Adventurer on TV and Movies.

Last but Not Least, Emmett Kelly.

Famous Hobo Circus Clown, and in this Movie...He Speaks.

With All these Things Surrounding this Good Effort, it is Certainly...

Worth a Watch.

Very gripping opening sequence, for sure, but nothing in the rest of the movie to match it. It plays mostly just as a regular sub-"The Big Sleep" noir, notable only for early pre-stardom supporting roles for Rock Hudson and a husky-voiced Julie London. ** out of 4.

I recently caught this film, and inspire of its ...slightly above middle-range rating, I decided to watch it.

After all, it's an early Rock Hudson film,but, for me, the real clincher was it had a rare film appearance by the incomparable Ms Julie London.

I'm too young to have experienced the age of radio (but, I did grow up listening, nightly, to CBS Radio Myster Theater to understand just how great it could be), and an eclectic group of actors, as well as directed by Mr William Castle made this too intriguing to not give a chance.

I'm very happy I did.

The story's a classic, 'whodunnit', and it's got all the 'bells and whistles' of a really good noir film (aside from inky-black scenes shot in various locations), including a couple of character actors who should be familiar to most - if not by name, nor appearances, but, by their singular voices, and mannerisms (Messers William Castle,and Marvin Kaplan, as the 'fat man's' assistant, bill, and as 'pinkie', an uncredited role as a delivery truck assistant/brother-in-law).

I never knew Mr Castle had made any noir films, a d after enjoying this one, I really wish he had, because, he knows how to use his abilities in this genre, and have them work to their fullest.

This is a real hidden gem!

Economy was obviously a concern for Universal and Mark Hellinger. The clip of the man falling to his death is taken right from 'The Spider Woman' (1944) one of Universal's classic Rathbone/Bruce Sherlock Holmes movies.

The second economy was the dress design for Julie London's character (starts at about 26:15). Film noir lovers will instantly recognize it as Kitty's famous evening gown (worn to perfection by Ava Gardner) in Universal's 1947 classic 'The Killers'.

Economies notwithstanding, the solid story and reliable performances (Jerome Cowan (long time Warner Bros. Contract player), Jayne Meadows, and a young Rock Hudson) make this oldie a goodie.

The odd subtexts for this film are probably what has buried it. 1. It is based on a popular radio show that sold itself as "created by Dashiell Hammett." Actually the nickname "Fate Man" was that of Gutman, one of the baddies in the Maltese Falco; the character of the radio "Fat Man" was developed out of the otherwise nameless Hammett character "The Continental Op," hero of the Dain Curse and Red Harvest. But in 1951, when this film was about to be released, Hammett was getting sent to prison for thumbing his nose at the McCarthy-era 'House UnAmerican Activities Committee' witchhunters, so his name doesn't appear in the credits (at least not the copy I've seen). 2. With reference to Hammett removed, the character is redefined; while the character remains a tough private eye, he now has acquired a gourmand's taste for good cooking - an obvious reference to the popular Nero Wolfe Character - as well as a shadow of Wolfe's sidekick, Archie Goodwin. 3. This is an early film with Rock Hudson, and it is clear where he was intending to go with his career - a Montgomery Clift without the angst - but just as clearly he decided to change directions - too bad, he's actually quite good in this. 4. This is William Castle before he decided to throw himself wholeheartedly into gimmicky horror movies, and it reminds us that he could be a very capable director when he wanted to be. 5. That the a lead baddie is played by legendary clown Emmett Kelly probably doesn't mean much today, but it's certainly worth a footnote for those interested in the history of clowns.

The story, dialog and acting are all solid; the camera-work, lighting and design are nothing special but certainly competent. The pacing is pretty good. The film keeps its suspense up and provides enough twists to be a real detective mystery. Overall a satisfying mystery from the era when such could still be made.