"The Thin Man" was a comedy mystery (or mystery with a bit of comedy, depending on your point of view) that lead to dozens of knock offs, pretty much dying out by the end of the 30's even though there were three more in that series of Nick and Nora films. The last of those was released the same year of this Hollywood based mystery with a bit of comedy added, starting two actors who had done a few of the rip-offs back in the 1930's.
It's a reunion for veteran actors George Brent and Joan Blondell, two of the busiest Warner Brother stars of a decade prior. Brent plays a reporter who is called up by blonde bombshell movie star Adele Jergens (playing an actress here presumably nominated for an Oscar) who is sent a box c.o.d. And, as you guessed it, finds a corpse in it. Brent knows she's hiding something, and finds himself investigating it reluctantly with "sob sister" Joan Blondell trailing him. She's really a pain to be stalked by, as she ends up in more jams that distract him from the investigation than helps him.
A funny scene has her hiding in a studio warehouse where her clumsiness ends up practically knocking Brent out with all the stuff she tosses over on him. Blondell, who had aided Melvyn Douglas in a "Thin Man" rip off called "There's Always a Woman" has matured nicely, but the part isn't a real challenge for her, even with all the snappy banter between her and Brent. He manages to be still dashing after 15 years as a leading man.
For tough detective lovers, there's Jim Bannon as the no nonsense detective Brent has on the case, more annoyed by their presence, and deadly serious even struggling with Brent and Blondell's intrusion. Jergens is lovely, but certainly no Oscar nominee. It's a nice try to update the genre of mystery comedy with a touch of film noir, but it seems a bit too little, too late.
It's a reunion for veteran actors George Brent and Joan Blondell, two of the busiest Warner Brother stars of a decade prior. Brent plays a reporter who is called up by blonde bombshell movie star Adele Jergens (playing an actress here presumably nominated for an Oscar) who is sent a box c.o.d. And, as you guessed it, finds a corpse in it. Brent knows she's hiding something, and finds himself investigating it reluctantly with "sob sister" Joan Blondell trailing him. She's really a pain to be stalked by, as she ends up in more jams that distract him from the investigation than helps him.
A funny scene has her hiding in a studio warehouse where her clumsiness ends up practically knocking Brent out with all the stuff she tosses over on him. Blondell, who had aided Melvyn Douglas in a "Thin Man" rip off called "There's Always a Woman" has matured nicely, but the part isn't a real challenge for her, even with all the snappy banter between her and Brent. He manages to be still dashing after 15 years as a leading man.
For tough detective lovers, there's Jim Bannon as the no nonsense detective Brent has on the case, more annoyed by their presence, and deadly serious even struggling with Brent and Blondell's intrusion. Jergens is lovely, but certainly no Oscar nominee. It's a nice try to update the genre of mystery comedy with a touch of film noir, but it seems a bit too little, too late.