Sky Murder

This is yet another experiment in the all important detective genre — before the genre settled into the few riverbeds we work with today. The experiment failed, which is why you don't find this celebrated. Its actually a very bad entertainment. Very bad indeed and after this Nick Carter would end.

Its only interesting if you study how the notion of film detection and noir evolved, and what branches died out... or if you are interested in how national identity is defined in film (or reflected if you are a gnostic).

This one tries to punch up the franchise with pretty girls, six of them who are apparently prostitutes though the relationship is so softpeddled, they are mentioned as "dancers." They are protected by a dumb blond who is so dumb it defies even movie logic.

One of these is a German girl who is reluctantly recruited into a German conspiracy against the US, a "fifth column." When she is condemned in front of members of the "cell," one decent man gets up to protest that he joined to make the world better. He is immediately beset by thugs and beaten to death. There is mention of concentration camps. The US hadn't yet entered the war, but it was ready.

There's a mystery of sorts here, how someone is stabbed in a sealed cabin on an airplane. But it is so contrived, so needlessly elaborate its funny, like the genteel whores that subliminally stand for American values.

Ted's Evaluation -- 1 of 3: You can find something better to do with this part of your life.

A body is found in a locked airplane compartment and a German female refugee is a suspect. Passenger detective Nick Carter is convinced she didn't do it and works to solve the mysterious murder.

A fairly entertaining mix of comedy, crime, adventure in the mould of the Lone Wolf/Philo Vance, however the comedy, though bubbly and amusing, can mar the thriller aspects, I. E: hero takes on the fifth columnist, and though it's great to see Walter Pigeon playing a suave character, his interplay with his sidekick - Donald Meek is hilarious in this role and the best thing here - is lacking, in a sense that Pigeon isn't playful enough and just yells at him to get out. Overall, it's enjoyable but could've been better with a more balanced approach in its mix of genre.

This film is a real treat! People expect a major "film noir" edge and that was not the intent here! Whine all you want but this is for fun! One "critic" said it was fit for "eight year old boys". I disagree. It's witty, fast paced, well acted and directed! Perhaps some of these armchair Siskel and Eiberts should watch a similar film made a year later at Warner's, called "All Through the Night" with Bogie! A humorous spin on fifth columnists at work in the US. I find Donald Meek to be a real riot here. A goof who was remarkably resourceful. 1940 was a tumultuous time in the US, what with the war raging for a year in Europe. A film like this, while avoiding the usual flag waving makes it's point in a humorous light! Pidgeon has Bill Powell's easy going nature as he slowly gets to the bottom of the plot. A pity there weren't more in the series with Pidgeon at the forefront. A great cast of character actors makes this a stand out! Don't miss it!

Walter Pidgeon returns for a third appearance as suave-yet-rugged detective Nick Carter in this fast-paced spy picture.

Set very much on the eve of America's entrance into WWII, the plot involves American traitors distributing flyers about a new regime and Nick Carter's (initially reluctant) efforts to track down and put them out of business. Spies, patriotism, murder – it's a neat little movie featuring a solid cast and efficient script.

Donald Meek offers able assistance and mild comic relief as Bartholomew the Bee Man. Put in charge of escorting a group of ladies off of a plane, he gets a little overzealous: "The first one that makes a break dies like a dog!" he barks. (Of course, they trample him and give him a bump on the head.)

Other capable cast members include Tom Conway as a shady character; Kaaren Verne as an earnest immigrant pressured to betray her new country; and Joyce Compton as would-be detective Chris Cross.

Walter Pidgeon looks like he's enjoying himself as the dashing lead character who spouts like dialog like, "Well, this is swell. Seven beautiful girls and every one of them a murder suspect."

There's not much substance, really, but it's a pleasant mix of adventure, mystery and comedy.

The most interesting and entertaining of the three films that opened up a little and went outdoors and included a heavy plot of spies and Nazis on the home front. There is that dreaded printing press that the subversives use to peddle their poison with fliers like "Don't be Doped by America".

There is also quite a bit of gun-play and this one is as serious as the series ever got. But it is not without the standard flaws. The Detective as a relentless womanizer (in all its overdone cringe inducement here), the almost ever present Beeswax his always irritating sidekick, the cute ditsy, dumb dame, and the German-American included so we can understand America's tolerance (but not after Pearl Harbor) for all Nationalities despite their governments evil ways. Did we really have to be reminded we are the good guys in such a heavy handed manner?

Sure we did, because repetition works, and this series was just another palatable picture used as a delivery device to a yet to be convinced public that we are about to join the fight against fascism. A noble cause. That is also the best that could be said about the Nick Carter Series.