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.

Boston Blackie and the Runt finally get recognition of a sort in One Mysterious Night. This time when a jewel robbery is perpetrated instead of immediately suspecting them, Richard Lane as Inspector Farraday seeks their assistance in apprehending the real crooks. Chester Morris and George E. Stone even get badges.

Of course they give Lane a few anxious moments as he has second thoughts that they might really have been the thieves who stole the Star of the Nile diamond from an exhibition for war relief. And as usual the cops are more of a hindrance than help in Blackie's mission.

Sultry and sexy Janis Carter plays a sob sister reporter looking to become Lois Lane and who has more on the ball than the cops. Morris gives her more than a passing glance.

Future Oscar winner Dorothy Malone is in this as well as the sister of the guy who was the inside man in the robbery. Her brother is killed by his accomplices making this a homicide as well as a robbery.

Breezy entry in the Boston Blackie series, I think viewers will like it.

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.

The famous Blue Star diamond is on display at a war fund benefit. Cops are everywhere to prevent any funny business, but—what's this? A sudden row in the gallery, a bunch of noise and commotion, and…the diamond is gone! (It looked pretty easy to me, actually.)

Of course, Inspector Farraday jumps immediately to the conclusion that the only man who could have stolen the diamond is Boston Blackie. But just a moment; it is soon revealed that his loud accusation is nothing other than Farraday's way of "sending for" Blackie. Sure enough, Blackie soon arrives at Farraday's desk and—in a nice new twist to the series—Farraday explains to Blackie that he needs his help: "Now you can call me anything you like, but I'm deputizing you as my assistant on this case, and I'm not taking no for an answer!" The Runt is doubtful, but Blackie readily agrees, is handed a badge, and gets right to work on a disguise or two.

The plot revolving around the stolen gem involves a young man mixed up with a gang of crooks, and the worried sister who lives with and tries to guide him. The sister is played by a very young Dorothy Malone, who has a small role but puts in a fine bit of actual dramatic acting in the scene in which she chews out her brother for falling in with the bad guys.

Chester Morris and Richard Lane are, as always, fun to watch as Blackie and Farraday, and seeing them as a "team" (with the exception of a brief spell where Farraday revives his habitual old suspicions) adds a bit of new life to this episode. George E. Stone as the Runt is faithful but worried as the loyal assistant.

We never do find out, however, just how blond reporter Janis Carter is able to see through Blackie's disguise so quickly. But she sure seems to enjoy chasing him around for the whole movie!