User Reviews

The first and, in my humble opinion, the best of the three Joel & Garda Sloane mysteries. Others have compared the three "Fast" movies to The Thin Man series. Its only real similarity is the snappy exchanges between husband and wife. Joel is gainfully employed with his own rare books business and well known locally as an expert in the field. Garda works with him. Neither Nick or Nora did much other than live off of Nora's inheritance. I particularly enjoyed Florence Rice more in the Garda role than either Ann Sothern or Rosiland Russell. She is fairly rarely the butt of Joel's "jokes" like Nora is. Douglas and Rice are a little more "down to earth" than the other two couples.

If you are a mystery series fan this is well worth the hour and ten minutes and much better than most of the '30s and '40s mystery series. Don't expect to be culturally enriched but you will be entertained.

In many ways, "Fast Company" seems like a thinly veiled Thin Man sort of movie...and why not? After all, this MGM pairing was adored by the public and made a lot of money...so why not try this sort of formula with other MGM actors? And, of all the Thin Man-style films, this is among the most enjoyable.

Joel (Melvyn Douglas) and Garda (Florence Rice) are a very enjoyable married couple to watch. Unlike most Post-Code couples, these two adore each other and the sexual chemistry and energy is definitely there....something that was also a strength in the Thin Man films. They operate a rare book business and much of their money is made tracking down stolen and faked books. One case they'd been working on involved poor Ned...a guy sent to prison because he supposedly stole some rare books from his employer who was also his father-in- law (Goerge Zucco)! Joel is out to find the books and trace their trail, as he's pretty sure the owner actually sold them and claimed they were stolen because he hated Ned and thought he'd be a perfect patsy for his crime...as, after all, the books were also heavily insured. I could say more...but you should just see the picture.

The best thing about this film is the great dialog. The writing was just spot on with this one and it sure helped that Melvyn Douglas was cast in this one because he had a delightful way with comedy...and although Rice is not especially famous, she was quite nice as well. Combined these elements with a decent story and you've got a real winner here--well worth seeing and just plain fun.

Fast Company is my favorite of MGM's three "Fast" films based on a popular novel written by Marco Page (a pseudonym for Harry Kurnitz, which I would love to read). As a HUGE Thin Man (aka Nick and Nora) fan, I can say these aren't quite as good but if you are looking for a solid marriage with witty dialogue, a lot of drinking and a side of mystery solving ala Nick and Nora, these three films come close. Each of the three films use the same "rare book dealer" home office set, but completely recast the husband and wife duo. In this the first film, Joel and Garda are played by Melvyn Douglas (my favorite Joel) and Florence Rice (my second favorite Garda), in film two (Fast and Loose) they are played by Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell (my favorite two stand alone actors...but my least favorite as Joel and Garda), the third and final film (Fast and Furious) stars Franchot Tone and Ann Southern ( my favorite Garda) as our intrepid lead and leading lady. This is a light hearted mystery with snappy dialog, great banter and one liners being exchanged between our married couple and occasionally the police detectives. Melvyn Douglas and Florence rice have wonderful and believable chemistry as a married couple. No one hams it up for the camera better than Douglas. Louis Calhern plays an excellent bad guy. When a young and innocent friend of Joel and Garda's is released from having spent a year in prison for a crime he didn't commit, Joel and Garda attempt to find him a job when his former boss and accuser ends up dead, the friend becomes the obvious suspect leaving Joel and Garda to figure out who r ally committed the crime both then AND now. The story has a beautiful mol played by Claire Dodd and some other wonderful character actors who fill in the "criminal" element! Fun, light-hearted movie that you will enjoy.

This is one of several movies - more than just this one starring Melvyn Douglas as the husband/sleuth - that were made in the 30's trying to piggy-back off the success of 1934's "Thin Man". This one is pretty good, but it lacks what nearly all of the other Thin Man knock-offs lack - any perceived chemistry between the husband/wife sleuth team. In fact, I thought Douglas' scenes with Claire Dodd were more believable than the rather forced attempts at getting sparks to fly between Melvyn Douglas as rare book dealer Joe Sloane and Florence Rice as his wife Garda.

Apparently the Sloane book dealing business itself isn't doing that well,so Joe has been picking up extra bucks by finding stolen rare books and getting a 10% cut from the insurance company on what they would have had to pay had the books not been found. A friend of the Sloanes, Ned Morgan, has just gotten out of jail for stealing some rare books that were never recovered. He has always proclaimed his innocence, but after he's out of jail it seems the Sloanes and Ned's girl Leah Brockler are the only people who believe him - he can't find a job anywhere. Plus Leah's wealthy dad Otto Brockler (George Zucco) is threatening Ned with more jail if he doesn't leave Leah alone.

Well, next thing Otto is found dead, bludgeoned to death in his office by a statue on his desk. Joel gets involved because the police are already measuring a missing Ned for the electric chair. There are a multitude of suspects including Claire Dodd as Otto's secretary who dresses in expensive fashions considering her small salary, plus a couple of rare book counterfeiters played to perfection by Louis Calhern and Dwight Frye.

The pace is fast moving, the characters interesting, and Joel seems to move effortlessly through his sleuthing paces, just dripping with self confidence. This had me wondering - where did a rare book dealer come up with all of these detective skills? With a mystery film, the question I ask at the end is - would I watch it again, now that I know who did what? The answer in this case is yes - because the characters and just not the twists and turns of the plot make it memorable. Recommended.

Fun film starring Melvyn Douglas and Florence Rice as Joel and Garda Sloane, rare bookdealers. There were three of these films and they were intended to cash in on the success of the Thin Man. However, Fast Company stands on its own very nicely.

Unlike Nick and Nora, Joel and Garda have visible means of support. In this story, the couple works to clear a young man (Shepperd Strudwick) of murder after he leaves prison for a burglary - for which he was framed.

The dialogue is fast and witty, and Joel and Garda are very affectionate and enjoy teasing one another. Douglas and Rice have great chemistry.

Franchot Tone and Ann Sothern started as the couple in another film, Fast and Furious, and Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell starred in a third. Sorry there weren't more. Douglas and Rice were the best, in my opinion.

Melvyn Douglas and Florence Rice are "Joel Sloane & Co. – Rare Books," as it says on their office door. The husband and wife team spends as much time flirting as detecting in this clever and very funny mystery.

The plot involves a rival book seller (George Zucco) who has reported some valuable books stolen. Something is fishy….did he steal his own books and then frame his daughter's hot-tempered fiancé, who is in jail for the crime? Zucco is in cahoots with a counterfeiter who produces rare editions, and employs a clever secretary (the excellent Claire Dodd) who wears a mink coat that ought to be out of her price range….

Anyway, it's not exactly a surprise when the shady Zucco is found murdered. There are multiple suspects, and Douglas sums up the general feeling when he tells the investigating police detective, "Well, if you're looking for a statement from me, I am not bogged down with grief."

It's a very fast-paced picture. In one sequence, Douglas is kidnapped, tied up in a hideout, and escapes while Rice gets herself captured and the cops show up to the rescue—all in a matter of a couple of minutes.

Witty dialog and the very attractive cast pleasantly overshadow the plot, which is rather complex but—in a movie like this—not all that important anyway.

This is simply a terrific movie. Done in the "Thin Man" vein, it is not a cheap imitation, it has a life of its own. Florence Rice and Melvyn Douglas have some real chemistry going on as Garda and Joel Sloane. The entire cast look like they are really enjoying this one. Fast paced and slick, with just enough comedic touches, this movie succeeds in being very entertaining. Florence Rice has never looked more beautiful, as she dishes it out and takes it from Melvyn Douglas who is both witty and charming all the while putting together the clues to solve the murder. Louis Calhern gives a really solid performance as the villain, and veterans George Zucco, Douglas Dumbrille and Thurston Hall add to the drama and the mystery. Claire Dodd and Mary Howard give some more feminine charm to the proceedings, and Nat Pendleton makes an appearance for some comic relief. Throw in a young Shepperd Strudwick as the accused and you have a real find here in this movie. Florence Rice continues to impress as a truly gifted actress, this movie shows again the marvelous talent of this performer and the cruel twist of fate that has left her in obscurity. Hopefully this film will be available on DVD. Should have been the first of a series..........

Married couple Garda (Florence Rice) and Joel Sloane (Melvyn Douglas) are rare books dealers. They work for an insurance company to recover lost books to make ends meet. They try to help recently released convict Ned Morgan with a job. He was imprisoned for stealing from his girlfriend Leah's father Otto Brockler. When Otto gets murdered, Ned becomes the prime suspect. The couple investigates.

The introduction of the rapid-fire couple is the bee's knees. The introduction of the case is a bit clunky. It would be better to leave more of the case hidden. It needs more from Ned Morgan. It needs to show him with Leah. This is a showcase for the investigative couple's rat-a-tat-tat banter. Melvyn Douglas is perfect and Florence Rice has good chemistry with him. It only makes the constant recasting of the duo all the more head-scratching. The point should be to make this couple iconic but that's almost impossible if they keep changing the actors.

In her whirlwind MGM career, Florence Rice made more than 40 movies from 1934 to 1943, starring opposite a who's who of leading Roberts of the era: six movies with Robert Young, three more with Robert Taylor, and one with her 3rd husband, Robert Wilcox. (OK, Wilcox was less of a who's who and more of a "who's dat?") In this movie, she's in the traditional Myrna Loy role with Melvyn Douglas basically "trying out" to replace the ailing William Powell in the "Thin Man" movies. (Here, Melvyn & Flo are book shop owners solving crimes on the side.) Well, it was not to be, as that kind of on-screen chemistry couldn't easily be manufactured, and fortunately for all involved, Powell recovered in time to heroically resume his signature Nick Charles role. Meanwhile, this movie came and went, Melvyn moved on to bigger and better roles, and MGM's career mismanagement would ensure that Florence Rice would begin moving more swiftly toward her 30-year-long retirement with her 4th/final husband.

It was hard to not want to see 'Fast Company' after seeing comparison to 'The Thin Man' film series, a very entertaining series of films and the best of them are great even. Seeing a younger Melvyn Douglas, who has shown some fine performances in other things and excelled at more than one type of role, also appetised. 'Fast Company' has the sort of story that appeals to me straightaway with no reservations, being someone who loves the mix of mystery and comedy.

'Fast Company' is the first of a series of three films, the others being 'Fast and Loose' and 'Fast and Furious'. Of the three, do have to agree with others that 'Fast Company' is the best. It won't ever be a personal favourite and have seen even better and more polished examples of the mystery/comedy mix. It is still hugely entertaining though and anybody that liked 'The Thin Man' films should find a good deal to enjoy here, as there is plenty.

The production values may lack polish in places.

While Florence Rice actually doesn't do too badly as the female lead and is appealing enough, she never quite excited me somehow.

She does have charming chemistry with Douglas, as wonderfully suave as ever with some grit and snappy comic timing as well, which contributes a lot towards 'Fast Company's' appeal. The supporting cast are also strong, with a sinister Louis Calhern standing out. The villains are a colourful and intimidating lot and it is hard to dislike the two lead characters. There is atmosphere to the lighting and William Axt's music score is typically moody, he was always very good at that.

Further advantages are a sharp and tightly structured script with plenty of snappy banter that sparkles in its wit, and a story that is gripping and eventful with plenty of turns without being too convoluted. It is a lot of fun and has some nice suspense, the pace always fast so that it doesn't get routine, and it never insults the intelligence or gets too silly. The characters are not exactly complex but are well characterised and carry the story really well.

Overall, hugely entertaining and well worth seeing. 8/10

Some short notes and then to the smoking issues upon which I can't help but focus.

The "Thin Man" comparisons are obviously valid. This couple seems too cute as compared to Nick and Nora, who tip toe along a line these two cross regularly. At times they're more like smitten 13-year-olds than the urban adults they proclaim to be.

Another cultural oddity seen in this film, and many others from this era, Is the strange platonically open marriage concept. In the films of the 1930s spouses in modern urban marriages seem cool with their special one going on dates with other potential suitors. A husband might find another fellow to keep company with his wife while he's away. I can't imagine one of my married friends today suggesting I take his wife out so she won't get bored while he's on his sales trip to Poughkeepsie.

SMOKING RITUAL

We have some interesting smoking from the guys in this one. Don't remember seeing any of the females lighting up (good girls?).

Sloan gives Morgan a cigarette and then lights it for him in a tender but masculine moment in what appears to be a well furnished lobby of a movie theater. Then he holds the match while the dialogue progresses. When he wants his own smoke, he just flings the now cold match down to the floor between his feet. They continue talking as he lights up his own and all I can think of is "Aren't you going to pick up that match?"

The great Louis Calhern has the best smoking moment when he enters a room, lit ciggy in mouth. He transfers the cig from mouth to left hand and then from left to right hand so smoothy you hardly notice. He has this graceful grip on the cigarette between the middle digits of his first two fingers where his fingers are staggered like a spiral staircase. Then he gets indignant and punches Dwight Fry with a short left upper cut and eventually pores from a pitcher with that right hand, all this with that cigarette still i gently smoldering in his right hand. This man was a dedicated smoker, right up to his fatal heart attack at 61.

"Fast Company" is the first of three films that MGM made as comedy and crime stories similar to other series that were made during the Golden Age of Hollywood. The most well-known of these types of films were those of the Thin Man series. As with it and other super sleuth series - some with comedy and romance, this short series had different actors in the lead roles. But the main characters are Joel and Garda Sloane. They happen to have a unique business in New York City of dealing in rare books. Well, since Joel is an expert on original publications, they make most of their office rent payments and grocery bills by his solving mysteries. In those cases, he winds up saving the insurance company lots of dough, so he gets paid accordingly. Of course, these all have something to do with rare books. One can imagine that it would be hard to come up with many different plots with that as the main subject.

Well, it was worth three films, and in this first one, Melvyn Douglas shines as Joel Sloane, with Florence Rice doing very well as his wife Garda. Much good comedy centers around their relationship when she works as his office secretary. In this case, the office hanky-panky is okay - or maybe isn't even that at all. It's amorous husband and wife romance and comedy, played to the hilt as a boss and secretary affair.

All of the cast are good in this film, and include some prominent names of the day in leading and supporting roles. Among them are Louis Calhern, Claire Dodd, Nat Pendleton, George Zucco and Douglass Dumbrille. While the plot is light, the mystery is a little complicated. The best part of this film is the quick and frequent comedy, almost all delivered by Joel and Garda.

Florence Rice seemed quite good and spontaneous as Garda, and very adept at handling the comedy. She didn't have many leading roles and after being relegated to B pictures during the war, she left the cinema entirely in 1943 and worked for radio and TV in her later years.

Here are some favorite lines from this film.

Garda Sloane, "Mr. Sloane?" Joel Sloane, "Yes, my child." Garda, "May I have a new dress? Joel, pushing her off his lap, "I have work to do."

Garda Sloane, "Do you love me?" Joel Sloane, "Madly." Garda, "Will you always love me - no matter what happens?" Joel, "Sure." (She puts her arms around him.) Joel, "What is this? What is this? Are you the same girl who wouldn't let me put a sofa in the office?"

Joel Sloane, "Say, where's that $200?" Garda Sloane, "Well, that's just it. I went to lunch, and after lunch everything went blank. When I came to, I'd just bought a dress." (Joel looks menacingly at her.) Garda, "Now, wait a minute. Wait a minute." Joel, "Didn't I buy you a new dress when I married you?" Garda, "Yes, but that was two years ago." Joel, "Was it?" Garda, "And I paid for the dress." Joel, "It's irrelevant. Irrelevant." Garda, "And I paid for the license too." Joel, "Well, sure you did. Husbands like myself don't come along every day of the week." Garda, "And another thing - who paid the hotel bill?" Joel, "You did."

The lines are rarely fun or clever. You may feel you could write a better screenplay at lunch next week. Still, there are delightful actors and actresses in the ensemble. E.g., Nat Pendleton in just a few late minutes got us to the labored finish.