Crime by Night

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.

"Crime by Night" is a lively 1944 film starring Jerome Cowan, Jane Wyman and Faye Emerson.

Cowan plays a private eye trying to help a man wrongly accused of murder. It ends up being a lot more complicated than originally thought. Jane Wyman is his attractive secretary, and Emerson plays a talent representative. Eleanor Parker has a small role as the daughter of the murder victim.

This is an enjoyable B movie that moves fast; Cowan is slick and Wyman looks great and gives a vivacious performance. Cowan was rarely given an opportunity at leads. He makes the most of this one. A good B movie made during World War II.

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 based on a book by Daniel Mainwaring, who went to write some of the best screen plays of the genre. This 1944 B movie was directed with great style by William Clemens. The film has good moments, but best of all is the presence of Jerome Cowan in the main role of the private investigator, Sam Campbell.

Sam is called to help a man accused of killing his father-in-law, a crime he didn't commit. Sam arrives accompanied by his assistant, Robbie Vance, who he calls "Candy Lamb". The story takes us to meet the corrupt sheriff Max Anders who is running for reelection. We also meet the cunning Ann Marlowe, a shady woman who has an interest in all we are seeing. Sam Campbell solves the mystery with assurance.

For being a B movie, "Crime by Night" gathered an interesting cast. Best of all, Jerome Cowan, who played in a lot of films of the genre, most notably in "The Maltese Falcon". Mr. Cowan didn't make it big in the movies, but in this one, he is quite enjoyable as the sleazy man who knows where to go to unmask the truth. Jane Wyman is hardly seen, although she is quite effective in her small part. Faye Emerson plays Ann Marlowe with style and conviction. Cy Kendall is the crooked sheriff Max Anders. Eleanor Parker and Charles Wilson are also seen in smaller parts.

Another comment to this forum says it all in the praise to TCM for keeping these forgotten movies alive by presenting them from time to time to new audiences.

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.