Rogues Gallery

Reporter Robin Raymond and her photographer, Frank Jenks, are told to go to cover a new invention. It turns out to be a device that can hear things at great distances invented by H. B. Warner. Soon, there is a disappearing and reappearing corpse and various other effects of an invention that can be sold for a couple of million dollars.

It's supposed to be a comedy-mystery, but the funny stuff is rather sparse on the ground. Miss Raymond is a small woman with a delivery like Martha Raye. She wears hats that are larger than she is. Other performers include Frank McGlynn Sr and Milton Kibbee. For A PRC picture, it's surprisingly painless.

A pair of hotshot reporters (Jenks and Raymond) are sent to uncover the story of a daring new sound amplification invention when they inadvertently become embroiled in the murders and apparent attempted murders of the invention's consortium members, and turn super sleuths to solve the crimes.

Typical light comedy cum mystery B-movie co-stars H.B. Warner as the invention's mild-mannered creator, Jenks as the shrewd photographer and raven-maned Raymond as the bolshy, fast-talking intrepid newswoman willing to resort to extortion to uncover the truth. Raymond's feisty, self-assured prima donna is perhaps superior to the film's weak plot and drab dialogue, though her chirpy, nasal accent and frequent wise-cracking put-downs could be perceived as somewhat irritating if you're not in the right mood to receive. Edward Keane has a supporting role as the duo's editor, a role suited to his no-nonsense, authoritative demeanour.

A little slapstick, a few corny one-liners, synchronised catchphrases ("here we go again") and the usual shady characters fill out a compact 57 minute plot, but apart from Warner's relaxed professionalism (in a rather minor supporting role) complemented by Raymond's energy, there's not a whole lot to recommend.

A feisty girl reporter and her photographer buddy cover murder involving a professor, his big money sponsors, and an amazing invention, all combined in light-hearted fashion of the day (1944).

I can see late shifts at WWII defense plants getting a kick out of this clichéd fare. Combine fast- talking reporters with a secret invention, disappearing corpses, and an array of murder suspects, and you've got a sure-fire B-movie. Jenks may get top billing but it's Raymond's movie. Her mouth speaks in machine gun bursts, while she charges forth like a tank on steroids. All in all, she's no cuddle bunny, but she is going to get the story no matter what. Surprisingly, there's no hint of romance anywhere, a definite departure from the norm. That's probably because the younger leading men are in uniform.Too bad that the mystery part doesn't really gel since the focus is on characters rather than the murky plot. Note HB Warner as the skeletal professor. His silent film credits are impressive as heck. His presence here must be for paycheck only. Anyhow, it's a wartime programmer, nothing special but competently done.

This is one of those silly 1940's mysteries with an aggressive female reporter and her half-wit cameraman, trying to get a really big "scoop." They go to the laboratory of a scientist who has invented a device for listening in on people, no matter where they are. There are a couple murders and bodies disappearing. The huffy police detective who is constantly being called to investigate things that change before he arrives. He grunts and snarls. He won't admit it, but he really likes Patsy, the reporter. There are many pratfalls, one, where the butler barely touches the cameraman and he goes flying through the living room, landing in an easy chair. It adds slapstick, which, in this case, is a distraction. The invention is taken for granted and used in the solution of the crime. It implies that there are such devices. To this day, we have nothing like this. The byplay between the two principles is pretty funny. There are some good character actors, doing slow burns, sneaking up on people, sounding very sombre. I'm a sucker for these old movies and did get a kick out of this one.

Typical wacky 40s crime-mystery-comedy involving the attempted theft of an invention of a super eavesdropping device. There's a couple of murders along the way as the flick evolves into a whodunit. Robin Raymond stars as the wise-cracking newspaper reporter assigned to get the story on the invention. She's good if somewhat abrasive in the role with good delivery of some funny comebacks. Frank Jenks is her photographer in tow and is distractingly stupid. Ray Walker is the obligatory reporter from the competitive paper, providing an occasional sparring partner for Raymond, and happens to be the nephew of the head of the institution of where the invention occurred. The movie title is baffling because there is no Rogue's Gallery because there are no obvious suspects. Nevertheless, the movie is fun and fast paced. It's an okay time waster but don't make an effort to seek it out.