Règlement de comptes

In many ways, "Fast Company" seems like a thinly veiled Thin Man sort of movie...and why not? After all, this MGM pairing was adored by the public and made a lot of money...so why not try this sort of formula with other MGM actors? And, of all the Thin Man-style films, this is among the most enjoyable.

Joel (Melvyn Douglas) and Garda (Florence Rice) are a very enjoyable married couple to watch. Unlike most Post-Code couples, these two adore each other and the sexual chemistry and energy is definitely there....something that was also a strength in the Thin Man films. They operate a rare book business and much of their money is made tracking down stolen and faked books. One case they'd been working on involved poor Ned...a guy sent to prison because he supposedly stole some rare books from his employer who was also his father-in- law (Goerge Zucco)! Joel is out to find the books and trace their trail, as he's pretty sure the owner actually sold them and claimed they were stolen because he hated Ned and thought he'd be a perfect patsy for his crime...as, after all, the books were also heavily insured. I could say more...but you should just see the picture.

The best thing about this film is the great dialog. The writing was just spot on with this one and it sure helped that Melvyn Douglas was cast in this one because he had a delightful way with comedy...and although Rice is not especially famous, she was quite nice as well. Combined these elements with a decent story and you've got a real winner here--well worth seeing and just plain fun.

It was hard to not want to see 'Fast Company' after seeing comparison to 'The Thin Man' film series, a very entertaining series of films and the best of them are great even. Seeing a younger Melvyn Douglas, who has shown some fine performances in other things and excelled at more than one type of role, also appetised. 'Fast Company' has the sort of story that appeals to me straightaway with no reservations, being someone who loves the mix of mystery and comedy.

'Fast Company' is the first of a series of three films, the others being 'Fast and Loose' and 'Fast and Furious'. Of the three, do have to agree with others that 'Fast Company' is the best. It won't ever be a personal favourite and have seen even better and more polished examples of the mystery/comedy mix. It is still hugely entertaining though and anybody that liked 'The Thin Man' films should find a good deal to enjoy here, as there is plenty.

The production values may lack polish in places.

While Florence Rice actually doesn't do too badly as the female lead and is appealing enough, she never quite excited me somehow.

She does have charming chemistry with Douglas, as wonderfully suave as ever with some grit and snappy comic timing as well, which contributes a lot towards 'Fast Company's' appeal. The supporting cast are also strong, with a sinister Louis Calhern standing out. The villains are a colourful and intimidating lot and it is hard to dislike the two lead characters. There is atmosphere to the lighting and William Axt's music score is typically moody, he was always very good at that.

Further advantages are a sharp and tightly structured script with plenty of snappy banter that sparkles in its wit, and a story that is gripping and eventful with plenty of turns without being too convoluted. It is a lot of fun and has some nice suspense, the pace always fast so that it doesn't get routine, and it never insults the intelligence or gets too silly. The characters are not exactly complex but are well characterised and carry the story really well.

Overall, hugely entertaining and well worth seeing. 8/10

In her whirlwind MGM career, Florence Rice made more than 40 movies from 1934 to 1943, starring opposite a who's who of leading Roberts of the era: six movies with Robert Young, three more with Robert Taylor, and one with her 3rd husband, Robert Wilcox. (OK, Wilcox was less of a who's who and more of a "who's dat?") In this movie, she's in the traditional Myrna Loy role with Melvyn Douglas basically "trying out" to replace the ailing William Powell in the "Thin Man" movies. (Here, Melvyn & Flo are book shop owners solving crimes on the side.) Well, it was not to be, as that kind of on-screen chemistry couldn't easily be manufactured, and fortunately for all involved, Powell recovered in time to heroically resume his signature Nick Charles role. Meanwhile, this movie came and went, Melvyn moved on to bigger and better roles, and MGM's career mismanagement would ensure that Florence Rice would begin moving more swiftly toward her 30-year-long retirement with her 4th/final husband.

Fast Company is my favorite of MGM's three "Fast" films based on a popular novel written by Marco Page (a pseudonym for Harry Kurnitz, which I would love to read). As a HUGE Thin Man (aka Nick and Nora) fan, I can say these aren't quite as good but if you are looking for a solid marriage with witty dialogue, a lot of drinking and a side of mystery solving ala Nick and Nora, these three films come close. Each of the three films use the same "rare book dealer" home office set, but completely recast the husband and wife duo. In this the first film, Joel and Garda are played by Melvyn Douglas (my favorite Joel) and Florence Rice (my second favorite Garda), in film two (Fast and Loose) they are played by Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell (my favorite two stand alone actors...but my least favorite as Joel and Garda), the third and final film (Fast and Furious) stars Franchot Tone and Ann Southern ( my favorite Garda) as our intrepid lead and leading lady. This is a light hearted mystery with snappy dialog, great banter and one liners being exchanged between our married couple and occasionally the police detectives. Melvyn Douglas and Florence rice have wonderful and believable chemistry as a married couple. No one hams it up for the camera better than Douglas. Louis Calhern plays an excellent bad guy. When a young and innocent friend of Joel and Garda's is released from having spent a year in prison for a crime he didn't commit, Joel and Garda attempt to find him a job when his former boss and accuser ends up dead, the friend becomes the obvious suspect leaving Joel and Garda to figure out who r ally committed the crime both then AND now. The story has a beautiful mol played by Claire Dodd and some other wonderful character actors who fill in the "criminal" element! Fun, light-hearted movie that you will enjoy.

Melvyn Douglas and Florence Rice are "Joel Sloane & Co. – Rare Books," as it says on their office door. The husband and wife team spends as much time flirting as detecting in this clever and very funny mystery.

The plot involves a rival book seller (George Zucco) who has reported some valuable books stolen. Something is fishy….did he steal his own books and then frame his daughter's hot-tempered fiancé, who is in jail for the crime? Zucco is in cahoots with a counterfeiter who produces rare editions, and employs a clever secretary (the excellent Claire Dodd) who wears a mink coat that ought to be out of her price range….

Anyway, it's not exactly a surprise when the shady Zucco is found murdered. There are multiple suspects, and Douglas sums up the general feeling when he tells the investigating police detective, "Well, if you're looking for a statement from me, I am not bogged down with grief."

It's a very fast-paced picture. In one sequence, Douglas is kidnapped, tied up in a hideout, and escapes while Rice gets herself captured and the cops show up to the rescue—all in a matter of a couple of minutes.

Witty dialog and the very attractive cast pleasantly overshadow the plot, which is rather complex but—in a movie like this—not all that important anyway.