BACK IN CIRCULATION (Warner Brothers, 1937), directed by Ray Enright, is a newspaper story with grand mix of comedy and murder mystery performed with sharp dialogue and fast-pace performances by Pat O'Brien and Joan Blondell. For their second of four films together, the story in question belongs specifically to Blondell, its central character. Sporting darker hair than her usual blonde appearance, Blondell is still sassy and amusingly believable, even when defending herself with one solid punch. Aside from her frequent catch phrase of "hot digity," she goes through her love/hate emotions with her editor, typically played by O'Brien, who handles her assignments he knows she can handle.
The story opens with Bill Morgan (Pat O'Brien) editor of the Morning Express, assigning Timothea Wade, better known as Timmy (Joan Blondell), along with emergency crew of photographer, Murphy (Eddie Acuff) and Buck (Regis Toomey) to get an exclusive scoop on a railroad wreck during the after midnight hours. If her assignments aren't tough enough, Timmy's love for Morgan is tougher, who thinks more of the newspaper game than romance. Timmy's next assignment comes as a challenge when she must prove socialite Arlene Vivian Wade (Margaret Lindsay) has poisoned her motor baron husband, Spencer. After proving her theory correct through an autopsy, against orders by family physician, Eugene Forde (John Litel), having ruled heart attack on the death certificate. Forde suggests Arlene sue the newspaper for libel, which leads the arrest of Arlene to stand trial for murder. Timmy covers the trial, only to have second thoughts. Others in the cast include Craig Reynolds ("Snoop" Davis); George E. Stone ("Mac"); Walter Byron (Carlton Whitney); Ben Weldon and Granville Bates.
Not as classic as some other newspaper themes as LIBELED LADY (MGM, 1936) or the latter HIS GIRL FRIDAY (Columbia, 1940), BACK IN CIRCULATION is quite an underrated item. Many great scenes include Blondell talking her way in and out of any situation with confidence, along with running gag of her angrily walking out of the editor's office, slamming the door hard enough to break window glass behind her. Yet Blondell's serious temperments are just as believable as her comical antics. By the 82 minute mark, BACK IN CIRCULATION leaves one not only entertained and satisfied, but to wonder why this isn't as better known as it deserves to be. Interestingly, O'Brien and Blondell teamed up again for another "read all about it" item titled OFF THE RECORD (1939), which could easily get confused with BACK IN CIRCULATION, even though stories and characters for both are completely different with similar styles.
Never distributed to home video, BACK IN CIRCULATION has become available on DVD with occasional showings on Turner Classic Movies cable channel. As much as Blondell herself once said in her profile on public television's 1971 edition of "The Movie Crazy Years" as to how much her movies at Warners were so much alike, BACK IN CIRCULATION stands out on its own bylines and press deadlines. "Hot digity." (***)
The story opens with Bill Morgan (Pat O'Brien) editor of the Morning Express, assigning Timothea Wade, better known as Timmy (Joan Blondell), along with emergency crew of photographer, Murphy (Eddie Acuff) and Buck (Regis Toomey) to get an exclusive scoop on a railroad wreck during the after midnight hours. If her assignments aren't tough enough, Timmy's love for Morgan is tougher, who thinks more of the newspaper game than romance. Timmy's next assignment comes as a challenge when she must prove socialite Arlene Vivian Wade (Margaret Lindsay) has poisoned her motor baron husband, Spencer. After proving her theory correct through an autopsy, against orders by family physician, Eugene Forde (John Litel), having ruled heart attack on the death certificate. Forde suggests Arlene sue the newspaper for libel, which leads the arrest of Arlene to stand trial for murder. Timmy covers the trial, only to have second thoughts. Others in the cast include Craig Reynolds ("Snoop" Davis); George E. Stone ("Mac"); Walter Byron (Carlton Whitney); Ben Weldon and Granville Bates.
Not as classic as some other newspaper themes as LIBELED LADY (MGM, 1936) or the latter HIS GIRL FRIDAY (Columbia, 1940), BACK IN CIRCULATION is quite an underrated item. Many great scenes include Blondell talking her way in and out of any situation with confidence, along with running gag of her angrily walking out of the editor's office, slamming the door hard enough to break window glass behind her. Yet Blondell's serious temperments are just as believable as her comical antics. By the 82 minute mark, BACK IN CIRCULATION leaves one not only entertained and satisfied, but to wonder why this isn't as better known as it deserves to be. Interestingly, O'Brien and Blondell teamed up again for another "read all about it" item titled OFF THE RECORD (1939), which could easily get confused with BACK IN CIRCULATION, even though stories and characters for both are completely different with similar styles.
Never distributed to home video, BACK IN CIRCULATION has become available on DVD with occasional showings on Turner Classic Movies cable channel. As much as Blondell herself once said in her profile on public television's 1971 edition of "The Movie Crazy Years" as to how much her movies at Warners were so much alike, BACK IN CIRCULATION stands out on its own bylines and press deadlines. "Hot digity." (***)