Nine Lives Are Not Enough

Ronald Reagan is the newspaper's best combination man -- reporter and cameraman -- but his melodramatic stories have caused one too many libel suits. When Joan Perry's wealthy father is found dead in a boarding house, everyone thinks it's suicide. Except Miss Perry, Reagan, and his two cop buddies, James Gleason and Eddie Brophy.

I didn't expect to enjoy this mystery-comedy; in this period, a lot of Warners comedies were frantic rather than funny. I was surprised at the script by Fred Niblo Jr., ably mixing action, romance, and laughs, at the return to motormouth form of the stock company (not so much Reagan, who started as a radio sports commentator, but Howard Da Silva as Reagan's managing editor) ad moments of real emotion under Eddie Sutherland. It never exceeds programmer status, but it offers a snappy 63 minutes.

"Nine Lives Are Not Enough" is a light 1941 B mystery starring Ronald Reagan, Joan Perry, James Gleason, Howard da Silva, and Faye Emerson.

Reagan plays a newspaper writer, Matt, who prides himself on getting the big stories, but he's a little too quick on the draw and brings in the wrong info. His latest malfeasance has caused him to be demoted to riding in a patrol car with two officers. As luck would have it, they are called in on a dead body. Turns out it's a millionaire, Edward Abbott, who for some reason was holed up in a boarding house. Was it suicide or murder? Matt is sure it's murder; unfortunately, the inquest decision is suicide. But Matt is not convinced. Out of a job and falling for the victim's daughter (Joan Perry), Matt keeps investigating, and the bodies continue to fall around him.

This was a perfect role for Ronald Reagan, who had a lightweight, charming presence on the screen. He's so good here, handling the rapid-fire dialog and some slapstick with ease. The whole cast is good, and the mystery moves quickly and keeps you interested. I particularly loved James Gleason, a policeman who is saddled with the worst cop ever (Edward Brophy).

Joan Perry became Mrs. Harry Cohn and retired. And we know what happened to Reagan. Years ago, someone mentioned that even if you didn't like his politics, once you met him, he would charm you. The person she was talking to said, "Never," to which the other person replied. "You would. I've seen it happen many times." I believe it.

Nine Lives Are Not Enough is a great example of the studio system at work. This is so obviously a property that was meant for the Cagney- O'Brien duo who made so many good films at Warners. Instead of Ronald Reagan as the fast talking reporter, picture Jimmy Cagney in the part and instead of Howard DaSilva as the hardboiled editor, this is Pat O'Brien to a T. See what I mean.

Pat O'Brien was ending his Warner Brothers contract stint and the studio was trying to give Cagney better parts. So we substitute Reagan and DaSilva who as a team wouldn't set the world on fire. Jack Warner was quoted once as saying the reason he supported Ronald Reagan for Governor of California was that while at Warners, Reagan was a very obliging man, who took whatever was given him without complaint. That kind of loyalty needs to be rewarded.

Despite this film being a Cagney-O'Brien hand-me-down, it's fast paced and amusing enough on it's own terms. A good cast of colorful character actors help it along. Make special note of the performances of James Gleason and Edward Brophy as the two cops reporter Reagan is assigned with in their patrol car.

Mr. President aka Ronald Reagan plays reporter Matt Sawyer, who needs to get a big story, and get it right after bungling up the last story. Viewers will recognize James Gleason as Sergeant Daniels, the thin, blustery, over-confident cop who means well, and usually lucks into the right solution. He was in all "The Falcon" movies, and Arsenic and Old Lace. Sawyer and a reporter for the competition play tricks on each other to get the stories in first. When a famous businessman turns up face down, its Sawyer's job to find out what really happened, even when he's thrown off the paper. Story moves along pretty quickly, except that at one point, Reagan looks into the camera and seems to talk to the viewer. Joan Perry plays the dead man's wife, and that was the last role she did, after marrying Harry Cohn in 1941. Ed Brophy is Officer Slattery, sidekick to Sgt. Daniels. Sounding like one of the Three Stooges, he had ALSO been in the "Falcon" series of films. With gangsters, mistresses, and the mentally challenged, this comedy/whodunnit has a little of everything. Listen closely when J.B. the editor speaks - that's Howard DaSilva, who played Louie Mayer in Mommie Dearest. Has a very distinctive voice. One of Reagan's more fun films, this is from the novel by Jerome Odlum, who had written several novels turned into movies.

On the outs with his editor, reporter Matt Sawyer (Ronald Reagan) could use a big story. He finds one when he stumbles upon the suicide of missing tycoon Edward Abbott. But something about the facts doesn't add up, making Matt suspect that the millionaire was murdered. Joining Matt on his search for the truth is Abbott's lovely daughter, Jane (Joan Perry). Along the way, Matt will have to stay one step ahead of rival reporter "Snappy" Lucas (Charles Drake) -- and the real killer.

Ronald Reagan exudes energy and charm in this lively mystery, intermingled with slapstick, farce and detective work. It's got good production values, the plot is sharp and and the finale is very good.