El desfile peligroso

B-movies were cheap and short films that were made to play as the lesser film at a double-feature. Many small-time studios specialized in Bs (such as Monogram and Republic) and the bigger studios also made Bs. In this case, the very respected MGM produced what seems like a B-movie in almost every way except that its stars were slightly better than you'd expect to see in a B. Franchot Tone and Ann Sothern star as a married couple who, not surprisingly, investigate crimes but are NOT professional detectives. I say 'not surprisingly' because there were plenty of B films with amateur detectives constantly showing up the police--such as Boston Blackie, Bulldog Drummond and Nancy Drew. And, like these other films, this was one of a series of such films--though NONE of the actors and actresses who played the two main roles played them in more than one film! The movie begins with Garda Sloane trying to trick her husband Joel into taking them on a vacation. Coincidentally, an old friend arrives and talks about a beauty contest going on at the SAME place where the Sloanes are headed (what are the odds?!). Once there, the Sloanes meet this friend once again but also (not surprisingly) stumble into a murder. And, like the genre, the pair begin investigating the crime and do far better than trained detectives.

The plot is about average for this sort of film--no better, no worse. However, Tone and Sothern are quite good AND the dialog is quite nice. It also helps that there is a nice sense of humor about the film--such as the wonderful dictophone scene. Overall, breezy and entertaining--but you wonder why neither Tone nor Sothern were used again for these roles.

Really liked the first film in the 'Fast...' film series from the late 30s, comprising of three films starting with 'Fast Company' and finishing with 'Fast and Furious'. Moderately liked if not loved the next film 'Fast and Loose', which had a better female lead and better leads chemistry but the plot wasn't as focused. So hopes were understandably reasonably high for 'Fast and Furious', again with changes to the cast and directed by Busby Berkeley in a relatively atypical film for him.

'Fast and Furious' is a decent time passer and not too bad a way to finish a film series that is not bad at all. There are inevitable but slightly unfair comparisons to 'The Thin Man' films, for reasons described in my review for 'Fast and Loose', but these three films don't fare too unfavourably and fare quite well on their own terms (especially 'Fast Company'). 'Fast and Furious' doesn't disappoint too much, it's not a great film in my view but it entertains enough and is above average at least. Of the three films though, it's perhaps the weakest.

There is a lot to like here. It is slickly and attractively made, not lavish or too fancy but there isn't a cheapness about it and it doesn't look rushed. Berkeley's direction is more subdued to usual, not his usual elaborate and dazzling visual extravaganzas that made the musicals choreographed by him so memorable and the complete opposite to that but he didn't seem uninterested or ill at ease with the material. The music is not quite William Axt level, who excelled in the previous two films, but has some nice atmosphere without being too heavy or too serious.

Script has some nice wit and snap and doesn't seem muddled, again like 'Fast and Loose' the comedy does fare better than the mystery and much of it amuses. The story is easier to follow than that for 'Fast and Loose' and generally compels, enough of it being lively. Franchot Tone is charming and suave and has a likeable chemistry with the not as subtle but "still giving it everything she's got" Ann Sothern. The supporting cast are all strong, Ruth Hussey and hilarious Frank Orth (as one of the most entertaining characters) coming off strongest.

Again, the mystery could have been a little better with more surprises and suspense. It's easier to follow here and with less of an overlong feel but there is a routine feel at times. The pace is generally solid but the film does have dull stretches, with the early portions taking a little long to find its rhythm, and more energy and tension wouldn't have gone amiss.

Like before, there could have been fewer characters and not all of them seemed necessary.

In conclusion, not great but nice enough. 6/10

Ann Southern and Franchot Tone's genial relationship wraps itself around a mediocre murder plot which features a lot of pretty young women in bathing suits (no belly-buttons, remember, this is the 30's Post-Code). Plenty of wise-cracking, a few Stooges-level laughs involving circus lions, and one great directorial flourish from Berkely involving a traveling camera-shot during a party scene.

Joel Sloane, a lawyer, is visited by a friend, Mike Stevens, who wants to borrow some money from him to invest in his boss' business that promises excellent return. Sloane, is reluctant at first, but relents because Mike seems a nice guy. Mike extends him an invitation to come to Seaside for the pageant. Little does Joel know he has already been made a judge in the competition.

As Joel arrives at the resort town with his wife Garda, things begin taking a different twist. The arrival of Eric Bartell in the scene and the murder of Mike's boss present a problem. Mike is hauled to jail for suspicion of being the one that committed the crime. There are other people around that could be involved, but Joel runs in different directions to help Mike and solve the mystery to clear his friend.

At the hotel where the Sloanes are staying there is a lion tamer who plays a trick on them in one of the best moments in the movie. Needless to say, Joel realizes who the real culprit is and unmasks the person at the end for a happy ending.

Busby Berkeley directed this light MGM comedy with his usual eye for style and movement. Best of all are Franchot Tone and Ann Sothern who played the Sloanes with elegance and fun. Others in the film are Ruth Hussey, Lee Bowman, John Miljan and Mary Beth Hughes.

The movie is a light entertainment, a product of the times. Watch it as a curiosity.

When Busby Berkeley moved from Warner Brothers to MGM he wanted to be directing straight dramatic items as well as musicals. MGM obliged him with this Fast And Furious which in its 70 minute running time lives up to its name.

Franchot Tone and Ann Sothern play a married lawyer and wife who works as secretary and they look as playful and hip as Nick and Nora Charles. In fact Tone is asked to be a judge at an oceanside beauty pageant (Atlantic City in all but name) and sees this as a dream vacation. He throws an investment into the pageant and their friend Lee Bowman throws a lot more.

Which is in danger of being lost when it comes to their attention that the organizer John Miljan is going skip with the pageant money without wife Ruth Hussey and with contestant Mary Beth Hughes. In fact Bowman confronts Miljan who winds up shot to death and Bowman looking good for it.

That's when Tone goes to work to clear his friend Bowman. I have to confess I had it wrong in terms of the eventual murderer and that's when I like a mystery.

It's a B film from MGM, but their product would be a big budget item at Monogram or PRC. Tone and Sothern register well as a fun married couple. They have two good scenes, a harrowing one when they are in an elevator shaft and nearly crushed and a rather extended encounter with lion tamer Frank Orth and his 3 lions who are staying at the hotel. They must have one liberal guest policy.

Fast And Furious is the pace of the film and a fun film it is.