Crime by Night

Larry Borden's career as a concert pianist ended when a dispute with wealthy father-in-law Harvey Carr ended up with his hand chopped by an ax. Carr is found dead from a blow by an ax, and Larry is sure to be the prime suspect. He hires New York detective Sam Campbell and his secretary-partner Robbie Vance. Harvey's daughter and Larry's ex-wife, Irene, also turn up, along with another dead body, the estate's handyman.

Irene is now engaged to Paul Goff, a singer, who has an agent, Ann Marlow. A theory develops that Carr's death involved a wartime spy ring and a chemical plant he owned, and Goff is implicated. Goff is the next murder victim, though. Sam and Robbie eventually deduce that Ann is the actual spy. They solve the case and save Larry, freeing them to return to New York.

Fast-paced mystery that is fairly entertaining and features an interesting protagonist in Jerome Cowan, a quick-talking and sleazy detective. Jane Wyman plays his assistant. The mystery can be complicated, and you have to really pay attention to the conversations.

CRIME BY NIGHT is a neat little programmer that gives JEROME COWAN one of his few leading roles in films. He was usually the man who supported the big Warner stars in films ranging from MR. SKEFFINGTON to THE MALTESE FALCON, always a reliable character actor.

For an up-and-coming contract star, JANE WYMAN was given little to do in this caper, making me wonder how she ever reached full fledged stardom at the studio that insisted on wasting her talent in fluffy, very inconsequential roles in films like this and FLIGHT ANGELS, always the brassy wise-cracking dame before she tackled more serious roles. Another actress with a future at the studio is also on hand in a small part, ELEANOR PARKER, but it's FAYE EMERSON who has the most interesting role and she makes the most of it.

The story is a dull contrivance about a vacationing detective (Cowan) who helps clear an innocent man of murder. He and Wyman join forces to solve the crime which turns out to be embedded in some sort of spy plot that is never hinted at until the final scene.

Summing up: A weak programmer that wastes the Warner contract players.

Jane Wyman is given top billing on screen but she sits out most of the movie off screen. It's left up to her co-star Jerome Cowan to carry the load. He has a certain oily/sleazy charm but I wouldn't like to have my life or freedom depend on his detective abilities. It was amusing to observe the way he did anything he felt appropriate to help his client. No matter the legality of it. Hiding witnesses, disturbing evidence at a crime scene, and even downright stealing evidence right from the Sheriff's office.

This movie must be noted for having one of the bloodiest crime scenes in a pre-1960's film. It's a wonder the censors passed it.

Crime by Night (1944)

** (out of 4)

"B" picture from Warner has private detective Sam Campbell (Jerome Cowan) being hired by a man whose ex father-in-law has been brutally murdered and he's the main suspect. The man claims he's innocent so the detective and his girlfriend/helper (Jane Wyman) convinces him to turn himself in so that they can search for the real killer. As far as detective movies go, this one here is pretty routine from start to finish and unlike some I was able to pick up on the big twist that happens at the end. I'm going to guess that if you don't see the twist coming then you might stay more caught up in everything that's going on but if you do catch hold then everything that follows is pretty much by-the-numbers. There are a few good moments scattered throughout but certainly not enough to recommend the film. It is great getting to see character actor Cowan playing the lead and I think he does a very good job in the part. He's got a certain laid-back coolness about him that really helps the character. Wyman is also pretty good in her supporting role but she's pretty much wasted. Both Eleanor Parker and Charles Lang are good in their supporting roles but it's character actor Cy Kendall who steals the film as the local Sheriff. The story itself really isn't all that entertaining as there are just way too many clichés and all of them are pretty bland. The only exception might be the first sight of the murdered man and the amount of blood that he has on him. Usually when you see dead bodies from this era it's no different than seeing a live one but I was surprised to see that they covered the victim with blood. CRIME BY NIGHT doesn't have much going for it besides the performances so this one here is certainly just for those who must see every mystery film made.

Private Eye Sam Campbell is hired by the estranged husband of a woman whose father he's accused of killing. With a few good plot twists, he uncovers the real murderer and the reason behind that and two other subsequent killings.

Don't pass up an opportunity to see character actor Jerome Cowan for once in the lead. His most noted role in film was also a detective as Sam Spade's luckless partner Miles Archer in the Maltese Falcon. In that film he was a lady's man whose hormones got him killed. Here he's quite the ladies man as well, but his mind as it turns out is on business first.

Cowan's main squeeze in this film is Jane Wyman. She played a lot of molls before she got real roles of substance later in the decade, culminating with that Oscar for Johnny Belinda. It's interesting to see her in these roles sometimes though.

Of the supporting cast the biggest kudos go to Cy Kendall who was the hapless sheriff. It's a running truism in Hollywood that in these detective stories, the police always get shown up by the private eye. Sometimes the cops are smart, but the private eye is smarter and sometimes they're downright dumb. It's the latter here.

This film is an enjoyable product from Warner's B film unit.