Who Killed Gail Preston?

Rita plays Gail Preston and gets her name on the first card, which counts as starring in this Columbia murder mystery. She also gets killed quickly enough that her dialogue don't foul up the effort. She's still learning how to read a line interestingly.

Not that anyone stands out as particularly good one-hour B movie. It's a mystery and soon enough Don Terry is investigating the matter, with plenty of red herrings thrown across the path. It's competent, but filled with old-fashioned stereotypes, uninspired wisecracking, and cheap interior sets.

This wasn't one of Coumbia's occasional A production in this era -- still produced on a budget that MGM might use for a short subject. Studio president Harry Cohn once said "I want one good picture a year, and I won't let an exhibitor have it unless he takes the bread-and-butter product." This was Cohn's bread-and-butter and there isn't much butter on in. Rita Hayworth's career would flourish, but no one else's.... except Cohn's.

Rita Hayworth plays the title role. She is a singer at a club and we are introduced to a cast of characters, all of whom have reason to see her bumped off. After her second performance on stage, this is exactly what happens. Bang! We now have a mystery. Whodunnit?

Rita Hayworth plays a horrible big-headed singing star who is full of her own self-importance. No surprise that she gets killed. Apart from her, the cast don't really stand out and the film gets a bit boring once the investigation starts.

There are a couple of good things in this film. The film opens with a memorable tap routine by four black performers in jailbird outfits. It's the most entertaining part of the film, and disgracefully, these guys aren't even listed in the credits! The second good thing about the film is the idea of having a prison themed nightclub. The orchestra musicians and waitresses are dressed in prison costumes, the compere talks to guests as if they are criminals and insults them, and there are cells that guests can book for the night as opposed to booths. It looks great fun. Unfortunately, the film loses interest in parts.

This would be a routine murder mystery if not for the plentiful number of suspects, and the fact that it takes place in a night club with a prison motif! waiters dressed as prison guards, a tough-talking emcee and the guests are seated in cells with prison bars. Of the plot itself, everyone onscreen has a motive to kill the nasty shrew Gail Preston, played by Rita Hayworth. To no one's surprise, she is murdered early on and the bulk of the film deals with the detective and his dim-witted assistant trying to solve the mystery.

Good job by all concerned and the murder is genuinely baffling, but to recreate the night of the murder, with all guests and staff members of the club assembled defies belief. In any case, you will be hard-pressed to figure out the guilty party. Most of the songs are long-forgotten but one, "Twelve O'clock And All's Not Well" is tuneful and may have gotten some mileage in the late 30's. And it is not Hayworth's voice - she was dubbed. Shown at Capitolfest, Rome, NY, 8/18.

6/10 - Website no longer prints my star ratings.

A good old fashioned murder then investigation by the police, at times bumbling, with musical and dance numbers thrown in for good measure. It's no secret due to the title that Gail Preston is murdered. She is a big time singer in a night club. She had called the police inspector prior to the show and asked him to talk to her at the club. During her number, shots ring out and she collapses to the floor, murdered before she can meet with the Inspector. Just then the Inspector walks in and like the good old capers, has police officers surround the building and makes all the patrons return to their tables. There are a number of people with motives as the police follow up the clues. Rita Hayworth as a mean spirited singer who calls the shots for the club. She was very good in this early role and only about 20 years old at the time. There are some good dance routines with music making this a bit of a musical in a way - a murder musical? Also there was comedy relief with some of the police as well. Not the greatest movie you ever saw, but not bad either if you remember it was an early crime movie.