While New York Sleeps

WHILE NEW YORK SLEEPS, intrepid newspapermen work to solve a series of murders involving the robberies of bonds, the mysterious "suicide" of an insurance investigator, and an infamous practical joker. Will the newspaperman get to first base with his would-be honey if he gets her out of an ingenious frame up?

This is a pretty good, smoothly directed 30s mystery series picture from the excellent B-unit at Fox, which is also responsible for Charlie Chan and Mr. Moto. This isn't quite in the league with those pictures, mainly because the newspaperman detective is, to put it mildly, an irresponsible jerk. Nevertheless, the pace is quick enough that we don't end up spending too much time on this anti-hero's most obnoxious moments, and the gentleman is at least amply repaid for the genuinely cruel stunt he pulls in the middle of the picture. Acting is no better or worse than usual, cinematography is fine, pacing is better than average. If you enjoy mysteries, this is a worthwhile find.

I love it when gems like this pop-up. Well-written, well-acted and snappy dialogue. With the right exposure, this could be a classic among the B's. The dance numbers on-stage at the night club look like they are a cut-above the usual B-Movies. One hour of pleasure in this mystery. At least 3 plot-lines are at-play, including a love triangle, a reporter's career and a serial robber. The wind-up unfolds pretty fast, but thanks to digital play-back, you can sort it out as deep as you want. My only problem in this flick is the same as others like it - I keep predicting the wrong guy to get the girl. Now you try it.

B-movies were films that lasted about an hour in length and were meant as the second, or lesser, film at a double feature. They tended to have lower budgets and were quickly written and shot...but they didn't always result in inferior films. This example is from one of the big studios, Twentieth Century-Fox, and you can tell it's a B due to its length and that the actors were mostly unknowns.

Barney (Michael Whalen) is a hotshot reporter who has been investigating the murders of couriers. However, his vacation is coming up and he decides to drop the story and have some well earned time off from work. But when the newest murder victim happens to be a friend of his, Barney drops everything and returns to town to investigate. Only in these sorts of movies do reporters investigate and solve crimes...something the idiot police never seem to be able to do!

Overall, this is a well made film for a B. The acting and script are good and Harold Huber (one of the suspects) plays a most enjoyable and strange mobster! Worth seeing.