Murder in Times Square

This was considered a "B" picture when Columbia pictures released it in 1943 so it lacked the usual promotion. Edmond Lowe is at his best in this role as an actor turned detective. Although another critic on this web page made the comment that the murder weapon is not shown, it is clearly shown by the murderer when he prepares the snake poison for another victim and is very similar to the murder weapon utilized in "The Falcon Out West". I first saw this movie while growing up in San Diego on television and consider it to be as good as the "Thin Man" movies, etc. Rated "G" for all ages. The plot is that Edmond Lowe is a struggling stage actor/writer in New York City and finally hits it big on Broadway with a play he wrote. His good luck turns bad when he refuses to join a club ran by an old lady. Imediately after wards he becomes a prime suspect for the murders of snake bite victims because the plot of his play is very similar. He must become a detective in order to clear himself and the film does a great job of placing Edmond Lowe at his best acting role. The only regret is that he did not continue making similar movies in the golden years of the 1940's.

Edmund Lowe stars with John Litel, Marguerite Chapman, Bruce Bennett, and Esther Dale in Murder in Times Square.

One thing this film has that you won't see elsewhere is a reptile zoo in Times Square.

Edmund Lowe plays a now successful playwright/actor with a hit on Broadway. All we know about the plot is that it concerns snake venom.

Lowe manages to make an enemy of some old Broadway hanger-on (Dale) who is considered a lucky charm by many of his contemporaries.

He no sooner tells her to get lost than he lightly punches someone in a fight and the man dies - of snake venom poisoning. The cops can't find any evidence on him so he's released.

Lowe then learns that his fiance (Veda Ann Borg) is in love with someone else. He winds up dead due to guess what.

A strange film concerning blackmail and someone who isn't quite what he seems. It also has the most abrupt ending I have ever seen.

Marguerite Chapman is lovely as a press agent, and Gerald Mohr has an early role.

Not great.

An egotistical playwrite (Edmund Lowe) write a play wherein snakes play a vital part. He becomes infamous (and wanted by the police) when several of his close friends die of "snake bite".

This is an interesting, intriquing story, but MUCH is left unanswered; for example, the weapon that simulates "snake bite" is never shown OR explained and the murderer was nowhere NEAR his first victim!

Forget the "logic" and just enjoy this film!

After a lifetime of struggling, Edmund Lowe's "I am an obnoxious genius" act has finally paid off, and he's looking at a long, prosperous run. However, as he confesses to Texan Bruce Bennett, there to act as his sounding board, it is just an act, meant to keep his name in the papers. When a corpse turns up, everyone on Broadwayis happy to pin it on him, especially when pay-off racketeer Esther Dale doesn't get her cut.

It's a look at Runyonesque Broadway from the sleazy side, and the mystery is all right. It also gives a bunch of minor players a paycheck, including James C. Morton's last. With a plethora of youngsters at the starts of their careers, including Veda Ann Borg and Gerald Mohr, it offers a cramped, uncomfortable view of the crossroads of the world.

Edmund Lowe plays a now successful playwright/actor with a hit on Broadway that has a plot concerning snake venom. Lowe manages to make an enemy of some old Broadway bag (Dale) who is considered a lucky charm by many of his contemporaries. After he tells her to get lost, he lightly punches someone in a altercation and the man dies - of snake venom poisoning. The cops can't find any evidence on him so he's released. Lowe then learns that his fiance (Veda Ann Borg) is in love with someone else. He winds up dead due to guess what. Yes, snake poison. Eventually the police arrest him but he escapes and turns detective to find the real culprit.

I found this 1943 mystery quite unusual, mainly due to the characters such as the old lady seen as a lucky charm and Lowe's character. He's plays a hammy actor and acts arrogant and superior, but this, as he tells a friend, that this is an act just to stay in the limelight and fit in with luvvies. Makes a change from a straightforward suave hero you usually find as a hero. It's intriguing little b-mystery that has some nice twists and a suspenseful finale.