User Reviews

I like B-detective series films such as Charlie Chan, The Saint and Sherlock Holmes, so I was thrilled that in recent months Turner Classic Movies has featured many movies of this genre--including The Lone Wolf and Boston Blackie films. In many ways the Boston Blackie films are a lot like The Saint or Falcon in that the cops are always blaming the hero but he is actually trying to do good and must prove himself time and again. After a few films, this does get a tad ridiculous, as the leading man has proved he's good and should not only be trusted but given complete autonomy to investigate the case, since he's proved right again and again! Fortunately, this pattern has been changed, somewhat, for this film. The film begins with a jewel being stolen and the police inspector, naturally, blaming Blackie for the crime. BUT, you find out that the inspector, for once, doesn't really think Blackie did it, but has Blackie working undercover for the police. This was great, but unfortunately after this film it was back to the familiar pattern.

While this change SHOULD have resulted in a much better film, it didn't, as the basic plot wasn't all that good and the police were just so stupid that it became annoying. Sure, the formula in these types of films is that the police aren't particularly competent, but here they are total morons--particularly the supposedly funny sergeant--who seems like he's had a serious brain injury--he's THAT stupid.

Inexplicably, part-way through the film it looks like the Blackie cast was actually given a script from the Mr. Wong series, as an annoying blonde reporter appears and disappears throughout the film. This woman is the spitting image of the same type character from the other series and her part is never really explained or hashed out--particularly as she witnessed things that might have exonerated Blackie once he was accused, but she said and did nothing to aid in the investigation! Also, there is a brain-dead moment for the bad guys that hindered the film. When Blackie and his sidekick are captured, Blackie convinces them that their stolen gem might be a fake. So, naturally, BOTH bad guys leave the two tied up when they go to get the jewel appraised! Duh. Any thinking person would have had one of the mugs go for the appraisal while the other kept an eye on the prisoners! So overall, while the initial idea is fresh, the film is just not written very well--with too many plot holes and clichés to make it anything other than a purely ordinary film.

Watchable, if convoluted, entry in the Boston Blackie series deals with a rare gem and inspector Richard Lane's utilizing of former thief Blackie in order to find the crook. A feisty performance by Janis Carter as a determined and tough reporter is the highlight, while an early appearance by future Oscar winner Dorothy Malone is a curiosity. There's the typical fun dialog and wisecracking performances with series regulars Chester Morris and George E. Stone as sly as usual. But the absence of a few series regulars is felt, although they return later on. In spite of minor implausibilities, there's a lot of fun to be had. Any film that has Morris and Stone hanging upside down like bats is fine in my eyes. Even at just an hour, there's more creativity in the art direction photography, and technical know-how than many of the A list films made today.