The Adventures of Jane Arden

1939 is generally considered Hollywood's greatest year. No one will ever list "Jane Arden" as one of the classics made that year, but it shows that several rungs down from the likes of "Gone With the Wind" or "Wuthering Heights" the studios were also churning out dependably entertaining little movies to fill up theater bills. Director Terry O. Morse (who was primarily an editor) keeps the action moving along briskly, and the plot, while hardly original, is actually one that makes sense and is easy to follow, unlike the overly convoluted plots in many similar films. The chase finale, on horse drawn carriages, seems to be taking place in the Wild West rather than Bermuda, the film's alleged setting, but that's a minor quibble.

One of the hallmarks of B (and C) movies of that era was the quality of the performances you get even from a "no name" cast. Dependable second tier action hero William Gargan is very good here, as is suave villain James Stephenson. (In an A movie the part might've gone to James Mason). Rosella Towne, previously unknown to me, does a solid job as the lead. Too bad this movie never spawned a series, ala "Torchy Blaine." I also really enjoyed the comic relief provided by Dennie Moore as the heroine's loopy sidekick. Moore, probably best known as the loud mouthed manicurist who spills the bean in "The Women" (another great 1939 movie), has a bit of a Gracie Allen vibe, comically enhanced by her New York accent.

A few reviewers have wondered whatever happened to Rosella Towne. It was actually fairly common for "minor" actresses of that period to be very busy for a few years, then retire while still young. I think in many cases they saw their careers going nowhere, and tired of being on the Hollywood treadmill (possibly including the casting couch?) decided that marriage and family was a better long term option. (Though Towne was young to retire at 24. Many actresses stuck it out until at least their late 20s).

I was astonished to find this little movie on TCM which nicely illustrates how one has to be willing to explore film history in order to find some unknown gems. In this case, the jewel of the piece is Rosella Towne, a beautiful actress whose name and background were totally unknown to me after 60 years of being a movie fan and whose presence in this film lifts it far above the ordinary. Only 21 years old when the film was made, Rosella projects an image which is equal to and frequently above the performances of stars who became much more well-known during the same era. The first bit part for Rosella was in 1937 when she was 19 years old. Her career lasted until 1943, a scant 6 years later, and during this brief sojourn, she managed to knock out 34 films. When she is on screen, her presence demands that you watch her actions. The ending when she kisses William Gargan is particularly dramatic. Too bad that Rosella Towne's career did not last longer. She had a lot to offer and it is a shame that we have so few examples of her work to exhibit. During this movie, you will also need to watch for Pierre Watkin who played Perry White in the Superman series and who managed to be involved with 388 movies in a 25-year career.

Rosella Towne wears clothes beautifully, moves well, is pretty, and has great comic timing. Why had I never heard of her before this turned up and what happened to her career?

This is an entertaining romantic comic newspaper crime story. Maris Wrixon is a chic bad girl who reforms a little late and James Stephenson, always good, is conniving as the heart throb of a smuggler/killer.

But it's Towne's movie.l And three cheers for her!

A fast paced, short (one hour) film. It is one of those "B" films from Warner Brothers in the 1930's and it is very enjoyable. The lead actress, Rosella Towne, is quite good in the lead role. Wonder why she never made it big in Hollywood? One will never know. The plot is as old as the hills, all about a female newspaper reporter on the trail of jewel smugglers, but this is a still a treat to watch. I recommend this little film!!

Fun B movie, with Rosella Towne, a real find. She had a very short career, retiring after marrying a screenwriter, but you can see she's got what it takes here.

This was intended to be the first of a series, based on a comic strip, but it didn't happen.

Arden is a reporter, working for William Gargan. She goes undercover to investigate a jewelry smuggling ring.

Unfortunately, the head honcho (James Stephenson) learns her true identity almost immediately. Since they are on board a ship bound for France, she has nowhere to run.

Fast-moving and entertaining. James Stephenson entered films late, after a stage career but died in 1941.