One Mysterious Night

Enjoyed this Boston Blackie film played by Chester Morris who was called into the case by the Chief Inspector of Police to investigate the stealing of a very important diamond that was stolen. Janis Carter,(Dorothy Anderson) plays a reporter who manages to appear everywhere that Boston Blackie goes and quickly runs off and makes her report to her newspaper. George E. Stone, (The Runt) plays the role as the sidekick to Boston Blackie and gives a great supporting role to his character. Janis Carter appeared in many films during the 40's and 50's and played the role of a very sexy blonde, even in Western films. If you like Chester Morris in this series of films he made, you will definitely enjoy this one.

"One Mysterious Night" is a Boston Blackie film starring Chester Morris and made in 1944. In this one, Inspector Farraday accuses Blackie of stealing a valuable diamond, in the hopes of bringing him to the police station so he can get his help in recovering it. It works, and Blackie and the Runt (George E. Stone) are put on the case. Meanwhile, Blackie is dogged by a good-looking reporter (Janis Carter) who sees through a couple of his disguises.

What makes this series is the good fun provided by Chester Morris as Blackie. It's not much of a mystery - in fact, we know at least one of the participants in the robbery from the beginning.

The attractive Janis Carter stands out as the reporter.

Entertaining if not great.

The entry is mainly for fans of the Blackie series. I dropped in because of cult actress Janis Carter and cult director Buddy Boetticher. However, not much of classic Boetticher shows in the pacing or proceedings, but Carter does show her brand of spunk as an ace newspaper reporter. The plot revolves around a stolen diamond that may or may not be a fake.

But the real appeal, such as it is, is with the characters. Lane does his bit as a fast-talking Inspector Farraday, while Morris tries on a few colorful impersonations in pursuit of the culprits. Still, I wish we saw more in a bit part of the gorgeous Dorothy Malone, who's clearly on her way up the Hollywood ladder. Then too, more of Carter would have added more spice to a plot pretty much lacking in suspense. As things stand, the movie is an occasionally humorous programmer but nothing more.

The police, being largely incompetent in the Boston Blackie series thus far, finally admit they suck and ask Blackie for help retrieving the stolen Blue Star of the Nile diamond. I'd like to give Inspector Farraday some credit for character growth for coming up with the plan, seeing as how up until this point he believed Blackie was capable of any and every type of crime. But unfortunately this change was short-lived and by the next picture Blackie was back to being Farraday's eternal suspect again.

Another fun Boston Blackie movie with typically likable turns from Chester Morris as Blackie, Richard Lane as Farraday, and George E. Stone as Blackie's sidekick, Runt. Three recurring characters in the series -- Arthur Manleder, Jumbo Madigan, and Sgt. Matthews -- are played by new actors in this one. I prefer the originals in these parts as these new guys are kind of bland and forgettable. Very early screen role for Dorothy Malone. This is also the directorial debut of future famed western director Budd Boetticher.

One Mysterious Night (1944)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Seventh film in Columbia's Boston Blackie series features the directorial debut of Budd Boetticher and features future Oscar winner Dorothy Malone is a small role. In the film, thieves steal a diamond right in front of the police so Inspector Farraday (Richard Lane) calls in Blackie (Chester Morris) for help. With Boetticher directing I was really expecting something special but in all honesty his direction is probably the weakest I've seen in the series. The film runs 61-minutes so there's never a slow moment and as usual, Morris and Lane do a great job together. The story itself is pretty good but again, the director doesn't do anything special with it. Janis Carter is good in her supporting role as well.