Director: TAY GARNETT. Screenplay: Ken Englund. Adapted by John Hunter Lay and Robert Tallmen from the 1939 novel Send Another Coffin by Frank G. Presnell. Photography: Merritt Gerstad. Film editors: Otho Lovering, Dorothy Spencer. Music composed and directed by Werner Janssen. Song, "We've Got Love" (Terry) by George R. Browne (lyrics) and Jules Styne (music). Art directors: Alexander Golitzen and Richard Irvine. Set decorators: Julie Heron. Costumes designed by Travis Banton. Sound: Fred Lau. Producers: Tay Garnett, Walter Wanger. Copyright 26 January 1944 by Walter Wanger. Released through United Artists: 22 December 1939 (U.S.A.), 15 May 1940 (New York opening at Loew's State), 15 April 1940 (U.K.), 5 April 1940 (Australia). 85 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: Goodtime girl (Claire Dodd) is murdered in her luxury pent-house. A bizarre range of fast-talking, clam-baking suspects include sugar daddy Edward Arnold, ex-husband Doug Dumbrille, good friend Pat O'Brien, jealous teenager Ruth Terry, and gangster Bernard Nedell.
COMMENT: In his autobiography, Garnett states that he was most unhappy with the way this movie was edited. The quick cuts and dissolves were not part of his original plan. Personally, I like the fast pace. I don't think anyone else will complain either, especially as the sound on the otherwise 7/10 Alpha Video is somewhat muffled and you miss a third of the dialogue anyway.
What we have here is a screwball mystery thriller with some very noirish overtones. Production values, as we might expect from producer Walter Wanger are excellent. I really love all the super Travis Banton costumes that vivacious Ruth Terry (in her first starring role) models throughout.
SYNOPSIS: Goodtime girl (Claire Dodd) is murdered in her luxury pent-house. A bizarre range of fast-talking, clam-baking suspects include sugar daddy Edward Arnold, ex-husband Doug Dumbrille, good friend Pat O'Brien, jealous teenager Ruth Terry, and gangster Bernard Nedell.
COMMENT: In his autobiography, Garnett states that he was most unhappy with the way this movie was edited. The quick cuts and dissolves were not part of his original plan. Personally, I like the fast pace. I don't think anyone else will complain either, especially as the sound on the otherwise 7/10 Alpha Video is somewhat muffled and you miss a third of the dialogue anyway.
What we have here is a screwball mystery thriller with some very noirish overtones. Production values, as we might expect from producer Walter Wanger are excellent. I really love all the super Travis Banton costumes that vivacious Ruth Terry (in her first starring role) models throughout.