This is a terrific RKO B, directed by sure-footed Leslie Goodwins. Aside from excellent performances (including one of Richard Lane's best as a REALLY fast-talking reporter), this picture has an ace radio dramatist who happens to dabble in magic on the side. Hmmmm...remind you of anybody?? Kent Taylor even shaved off his moustache to further pull off the Welles masquerade. A cute nod to the very popular Mercury Players, who were popular on CBS in 1939. The funny part is that Taylor works for a powerful publisher! Paging Mr. Hearst. Paging Mr. Kane. Talk about shades of things to come. Anyway, all that aside it's a fairly clever mystery and a great chance to see OLD DARK HOUSE's Lillian Bond go totally off her nut. And Thurston Hall has a wonderfully comic bit in the first reel. This is pure B-fluff, but if you enjoy great contract players doing their thing as they can only do it, you'll have fun with SUED FOR LIBEL.
11 Reviews
typical '40s B
blanche-22 June 2013
Kent Taylor, Linda Hayes, Lilian Bond, and Morgan Conway star in "Sued for Libel," another misnamed film, this one from 1939. There as a film starring Steve Cochran called "Slander" which should have been called "Libel," and now this one, which should have been called "Sued for Slander." Slander is the spoken word, libel is the print. One would think Hollywood would be more familiar with these terms.
The film opens with Albert Pomeroy (Conway) on trial for murdering Edward Webster, his business partner. Webster's widow is standing behind him, swearing that he's innocent.
The reporters are on hand waiting for the verdict, but the reporter who will phone the radio station that is re-enacting the trial, Smiley Dugan (Richard Lane) steps out for lunch. He asks another reporter, Maggie (Hayes) to call the station if a verdict comes in. Unfortunately for the station and the man who will announce the verdict, Steve Lonegan (Taylor), Smiley has been harassing Maggie all day. So when the verdict of not guilty comes in, she tells Steve it's guilty in order to get back at Smiley. The station is then wide open for a -- SLANDER -- suit.
Lonegan figures if they can get something on Pomeroy, maybe an old crime he was never charged with or something, they can get off the hook. He hones in on the suicide of a young woman a few years back.
A neat mystery, with rapid-fire dialogue, and a few magic tricks done by Lonegan, a magician on the side. Certainly not as bad as has been described in a couple of reviews here. Just the title is all wrong.
The film opens with Albert Pomeroy (Conway) on trial for murdering Edward Webster, his business partner. Webster's widow is standing behind him, swearing that he's innocent.
The reporters are on hand waiting for the verdict, but the reporter who will phone the radio station that is re-enacting the trial, Smiley Dugan (Richard Lane) steps out for lunch. He asks another reporter, Maggie (Hayes) to call the station if a verdict comes in. Unfortunately for the station and the man who will announce the verdict, Steve Lonegan (Taylor), Smiley has been harassing Maggie all day. So when the verdict of not guilty comes in, she tells Steve it's guilty in order to get back at Smiley. The station is then wide open for a -- SLANDER -- suit.
Lonegan figures if they can get something on Pomeroy, maybe an old crime he was never charged with or something, they can get off the hook. He hones in on the suicide of a young woman a few years back.
A neat mystery, with rapid-fire dialogue, and a few magic tricks done by Lonegan, a magician on the side. Certainly not as bad as has been described in a couple of reviews here. Just the title is all wrong.
Sued for Slander
wes-connors10 June 2013
"Drama in the News" radio host and part-time magician Kent Taylor (as Stephen "Steve" Lonegan) receives a phony tip and broadcasts the wrong verdict in a high profile case. The misinformation starts as a practical joke by attractive Linda Hayes (as Maggie Shane), who is really targeting fast-talking reporter Richard Lane (as Smiley Dugan) for targeting her pretty legs with paper-wads from a slingshot. With his station sued for a million dollars, Mr. Taylor decides to investigate the case. Old and new murders add to the mystery. Morgan Conway (as Albert Pomeroy) squirms and Lilian Bond (as Muriel Webster) schemes...
****** Sued for Libel (10/27/39) Leslie Goodwins ~ Kent Taylor, Linda Hayes, Lilian Bond, Richard Lane
****** Sued for Libel (10/27/39) Leslie Goodwins ~ Kent Taylor, Linda Hayes, Lilian Bond, Richard Lane
Nifty Little Programmer
dougdoepke4 June 2013
Nifty little second feature, with a non-cliché plot. I like the way the radio station studio is worked into the narrative. For oldsters like me, it's a trip down memory lane; for youngsters, it's a glimpse of communications before the I-Pad. It's a lively hour with an energetic cast, plus a neat twist at the end, though the in's-and-out's of the murders are sometimes hard to follow. And catch the snappy patter between the newspaper folks, something of a Hollywood cliché of the time. But what always amazes me in these budget features is how folks with big hats can speed down the highway in a convertible without the least windblown effect. Oh well, thanks for rear projection screens that made so many of these B-features commercially possible. No, nothing memorable here. It's just the Hollywood movie factory operating in smooth and entertaining fashion.
While it all doesn't make total sense, it is enjoyable.
planktonrules26 October 2023
"Sued for Libel" is a B-movie starring mostly unknown or little-known actors. And, like many other Bs, it's was quickly made and the script could have used a bit of tightening.
The film begins with a hearing in which the defendant, Albert Pomeroy (Morgan Conway) is acquitted of murder. However, Steve Lonegan (Kent Taylor) is told that Pomeroy was convicted and announces this on his radio show. What's worse, he gives details which simply aren't true at all...and, not surprisingly, the radio station is being sued for libel. Can Steve prove that he was right or will the station pay out millions because it defamed an innocent man? Or, is there some other option?
The story is quite good and despite the no-name actors, the acting is very good. I liked the film quite a bit. However, I also think that towards the end, the film did start to have some issues with believability. It just seemed a bit too tough to believe the twists that occurred and the ending seemed a tad too pat. Still, the film is very good for a B and is worth your time.
The film begins with a hearing in which the defendant, Albert Pomeroy (Morgan Conway) is acquitted of murder. However, Steve Lonegan (Kent Taylor) is told that Pomeroy was convicted and announces this on his radio show. What's worse, he gives details which simply aren't true at all...and, not surprisingly, the radio station is being sued for libel. Can Steve prove that he was right or will the station pay out millions because it defamed an innocent man? Or, is there some other option?
The story is quite good and despite the no-name actors, the acting is very good. I liked the film quite a bit. However, I also think that towards the end, the film did start to have some issues with believability. It just seemed a bit too tough to believe the twists that occurred and the ending seemed a tad too pat. Still, the film is very good for a B and is worth your time.
A reminder of how bad a B-movie can be
Neal9919 January 2004
The studios cranked out a lot of this type of film in the 1930s and 1940s, and this is an example of how cheap and silly they could be. The film overuses what begins as an interesting plot device - a radio dramatization of the news - so that it becomes flatly ridiculous. The story is way too complicated and progressively harder to follow as the picture progresses. The acting ranges from colorless (Kent Taylor) to hilariously over-the-top (Lilian Bond). In short, this is a real time-waster.
Reporters Chasing Murderers
boblipton22 February 2024
Morgan Conway has just been acquitted for murder, but reporter/broadcaster Kent Taylor gets the wrong dope and reports a guilty verdict. This puts him and his organization in the bind for slander. It also annoys DA Roger Pryor, who thought the case was wrapped up. They cooperate on a thorough investigation of Conway, but have a tough time finding anything to pin on him.
It's a decent reporter-chasing murderer mystery, with the usual assortment of possible suspects, and a girl Friday in Linda Hayes, with the prospect of a romantic liaison. There's some details about both Conway and Taylor being amateur magicians, which goes nowhere. With Lilian Bond, Richard Lane, Thurston Hall and Keye Luke.
It's a decent reporter-chasing murderer mystery, with the usual assortment of possible suspects, and a girl Friday in Linda Hayes, with the prospect of a romantic liaison. There's some details about both Conway and Taylor being amateur magicians, which goes nowhere. With Lilian Bond, Richard Lane, Thurston Hall and Keye Luke.
An Exceptionally Good Programmer
Handlinghandel26 July 2003
This taut mystery, filmed just before "noir" began, is genuinely suspenseful. It has a wonderful jazzy rhythm.
The scenes in which a radio show is being broadcast are fun and -- it seems -- accurate. Keye Luke is as always an asset, here as one of the radio players.
Linda Hayes is a great, angular heroine, looking a bit like Katharine Hepburn. And Lillian Bond, in a crucial role, looks fabulous --especially with the wind blowing her hair in a convertible. She looks a little like Clara Bow and a lot like someone who could have been a star in the 1970-90s.
Calling all cars: Be on the lookout for this little gem!
The scenes in which a radio show is being broadcast are fun and -- it seems -- accurate. Keye Luke is as always an asset, here as one of the radio players.
Linda Hayes is a great, angular heroine, looking a bit like Katharine Hepburn. And Lillian Bond, in a crucial role, looks fabulous --especially with the wind blowing her hair in a convertible. She looks a little like Clara Bow and a lot like someone who could have been a star in the 1970-90s.
Calling all cars: Be on the lookout for this little gem!
Reality radio.
mark.waltz27 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
A messy premise destroys what could have been a good mystery where wrong information from the results of a murder case has them declaring the defendant guilty when indeed he was found not guilty. This causes the defendant, Morgan Conway, to contemplate suing the radio station when they begin to recreate events from the trial rather than release a retraction. Kent Taylor and Linda Hayes star in this RKO programmer directed by Leslie Goodwins which becomes very convoluted as his plot is developed even though there are some good twists in the story, particularly the mystery out even further.
The supporting cast includes Lillian Bond as the widow of murdered man, Keye Luke and Richard Lane, with Thurston Hall very funny as the radio station owner who is perplexed by the pranks that radio announcer Kent Taylor plays on him, particularly one with a candle used as a lighter. The film culminates with Hayes and Bond staying at a darkened house in the country where circumstances turn this into an even creepier mystery. Far too complex and attempting to be much more intelligent than it is, and in spite of good performances and great production values, this makes it frequently impossible to comprehend.
The supporting cast includes Lillian Bond as the widow of murdered man, Keye Luke and Richard Lane, with Thurston Hall very funny as the radio station owner who is perplexed by the pranks that radio announcer Kent Taylor plays on him, particularly one with a candle used as a lighter. The film culminates with Hayes and Bond staying at a darkened house in the country where circumstances turn this into an even creepier mystery. Far too complex and attempting to be much more intelligent than it is, and in spite of good performances and great production values, this makes it frequently impossible to comprehend.
Promise 'em anything.
horn-54 December 2006
Warning: Spoilers
RKO described this, to the exhibitors, as: "Bullet-swift action, spine-chilling thrills, seat-glueing suspense, breathless mystery, and a delightful, smartly-dialogued love affair---these are the highlights in this gripping triple murder drama laid against a newspaper and radio background. Revolving around three reporters, a murder suspect, and a mysterious widow, all of whom become enmeshed in a sequence of exciting events set in motion by a front-page murder trail, the story machine-guns to a thunderbolt climax that will leave audience gasping! It's an outstanding whodunit! And what a cast to make it live on your screen! RKO gave the audience: The trial of Albert Pomeroy (Morgan Conway) on the charge of murdering Edward Webster, which arouses interest because Webster's widow, Muriel (Lilian Bond)insists Pomeroy is innocent. Meanwhile, back to radio station NYEB, owned by the Evening Bulletin. Steve Lonegan (Kent Taylor) waits for a flash from Smiley Dugan (Richard Lane, insufferable as always)so he can broadcast the verdict---But Dugan leaves and asks reporter Maggie Dugan (Linda Hayes)to tip him off it something happens...and something happens when the jury comes in unexpectedly (as was always the case when a Richard Lane character is off doing whatever Lane characters went off to do when they were supposed to be doing something else)and this jury comes in with a "Not Guilty" verdict. But fun-loving Maggie, as a gag, phones Smiley and tells him Pomeroy was found guilty, and unreliable (as always) Smiley relays said information to Lonegan who tells a waiting world that Pomeroy was found guilty, signs off the air, locks up the station and goes home...and leaves the station wide open for a million-dollar libel suit.
Lonegan and Colonel White (Thurston Hall) decide that the only out from paying Pomeroy a million bucks (in 1939 USA money, or about six trillion dollars in 2006 money)is to dig up something on Pomeroy that will force him to drop the suit, and the good Colonel dispatches Lonegan out to get this done, as no character ever played by bustery Thurston Hall was inclined to pay out money for anything, down to and including getting his shoes shined. So ace-digger Lonegan discovers that a former Pomeroy secretary, Stella Trent , had committed suicide three years earlier, and that a Dr. Bailer was involved. Lonegan (and Maggie) hotfoot it over to Bailer's office, and discover that Bailer has just recently had his throat cut and is more than a little bit dead. Then lawyer Justin Walsh drops by the Evening Bulletin and informs Steve and Colonel White that he has just learned that Pomeroy did indeed kill Webster (see opening trial notes), and he has withdrawn as Pomeroy's attorney. He cites Widow Webster as his source of this information,although, when least heard from, Widow Webster was proclaiming that Pomeroy was innocent. It gets a bit more complex as the frames slowly roll by and, ere long, Lonegan is riding in a car with the real killer but he is the only one in the cast of still-living characters and remaining audience members who doesn't know his car companion is the real killer.
The last crew credit on the film reads..."Magic Sequences supervised by Hubert Brill,approved by the International Alliance of Magicians." No telling how that is now being reported.
Lonegan and Colonel White (Thurston Hall) decide that the only out from paying Pomeroy a million bucks (in 1939 USA money, or about six trillion dollars in 2006 money)is to dig up something on Pomeroy that will force him to drop the suit, and the good Colonel dispatches Lonegan out to get this done, as no character ever played by bustery Thurston Hall was inclined to pay out money for anything, down to and including getting his shoes shined. So ace-digger Lonegan discovers that a former Pomeroy secretary, Stella Trent , had committed suicide three years earlier, and that a Dr. Bailer was involved. Lonegan (and Maggie) hotfoot it over to Bailer's office, and discover that Bailer has just recently had his throat cut and is more than a little bit dead. Then lawyer Justin Walsh drops by the Evening Bulletin and informs Steve and Colonel White that he has just learned that Pomeroy did indeed kill Webster (see opening trial notes), and he has withdrawn as Pomeroy's attorney. He cites Widow Webster as his source of this information,although, when least heard from, Widow Webster was proclaiming that Pomeroy was innocent. It gets a bit more complex as the frames slowly roll by and, ere long, Lonegan is riding in a car with the real killer but he is the only one in the cast of still-living characters and remaining audience members who doesn't know his car companion is the real killer.
The last crew credit on the film reads..."Magic Sequences supervised by Hubert Brill,approved by the International Alliance of Magicians." No telling how that is now being reported.
Nice Cast Can't Save Story
Michael_Elliott23 June 2013
Sued for Libel (1939)
** (out of 4)
Decent mystery about radio broadcaster Steve Lonegan (Kent Taylor) who puts on a radio show dealing with a local trial where Albert Pomeroy (Morgan Conway) is accused of killing his business partner. Lonegan gets the wrong word and announces that Pomeroy has been found guilty, which isn't correct and soon the freed man plans on suing for libel. This doesn't sit too well with Lonegan so he sets out to prove Pomeroy really is guilty. At just 66-minutes this film goes by rather quickly but there are just way too many dry moments that keep it from being more entertaining. The film does manage to have a decent story idea but sadly not enough is done with it especially when you consider a large portion of the running time just has various cast members standing around talking about things that really don't advance the plot or add anything to it. The film does contain an excellent twist at the end, which I won't reveal and this here makes the film worth sitting through. What really keeps the film going are the rather good performances with Taylor leading the way with a strong performance. I also thought Linda Hayes was memorable in her role as a reporter and Lillian Bond is also extremely good as the dead man's widow. Conway is dependable in his part as is Richard Lane who adds some nice comic touches. Keye Luke also has a small role. SUED FOR LIBEL will mainly appeal to those who enjoy watching all those "B" movies that turn up on Turner Classic Movies. This one here is worth watching for fans of the genre but it's doubtful others will find enough here to make it worth sitting through.
** (out of 4)
Decent mystery about radio broadcaster Steve Lonegan (Kent Taylor) who puts on a radio show dealing with a local trial where Albert Pomeroy (Morgan Conway) is accused of killing his business partner. Lonegan gets the wrong word and announces that Pomeroy has been found guilty, which isn't correct and soon the freed man plans on suing for libel. This doesn't sit too well with Lonegan so he sets out to prove Pomeroy really is guilty. At just 66-minutes this film goes by rather quickly but there are just way too many dry moments that keep it from being more entertaining. The film does manage to have a decent story idea but sadly not enough is done with it especially when you consider a large portion of the running time just has various cast members standing around talking about things that really don't advance the plot or add anything to it. The film does contain an excellent twist at the end, which I won't reveal and this here makes the film worth sitting through. What really keeps the film going are the rather good performances with Taylor leading the way with a strong performance. I also thought Linda Hayes was memorable in her role as a reporter and Lillian Bond is also extremely good as the dead man's widow. Conway is dependable in his part as is Richard Lane who adds some nice comic touches. Keye Luke also has a small role. SUED FOR LIBEL will mainly appeal to those who enjoy watching all those "B" movies that turn up on Turner Classic Movies. This one here is worth watching for fans of the genre but it's doubtful others will find enough here to make it worth sitting through.
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