Tell No Tales

Saw 'Tell No Tales' seeing as it has the kind of story that has always appealed to me straightaway. It was interesting to see how actor Leslie Fenton (have much more of his work to see though) would fare in his feature debut as director. And also to see Melvyn Douglas in a different and less suave role to usual (he was one of the best at that kind of role at the time in my view) and talented actors such as Gene Lockhart and Theresa Harris in also atypical supporting roles.

'Tell No Tales' turned out to be very entertaining and always engaging, very solidly done in most areas. Those playing against type surprisingly excel at it, Fenton does a remarkably good job as first time director and it always intrigues. It is not quite great, despite it having potential to be, and is not perfect, but despite any misgivings there is so much done right and the best of the good things are pretty brilliantly done. So well worth seeing.

Admittedly, 'Tell No Tales' gets far-fetched and contrived in places. The very end is too tacked on and doesn't ring true, due to not gelling with what goes on before.

It could have gotten going a little earlier perhaps too.

However, 'Tell No Tales' is well filmed with a slick, stylish yet never glossy look, with some atmospheric lighting, and Fenton keeps things moving at a crisp pace. Without rushing events through. William Axt's score has the appropriate typical moodiness. The script is taut, eventful and has very little extraneous fat, meaning that it always intrigues and it never goes limp. Some nice sharp wit too to not allow the film to get too dark.

Furthermore, the story has a good deal going on and doesn't feel dull, with some nice tension (towards the end to the maximum) and an exciting climax. It doesn't try to do too much and has enough surprises without being over-complicated, even if it does get silly and contrived as said in spots. The Wake sequence is a powerful one. All the actors do well, with Douglas having his usual suave persona mixed with a gritty edge. Louise Platt is charming without being pallid, Lockhart is fun in his part and Harris stretches her acting chops in a more substantial role than as a maid type of part.

On the whole, good fun though with flawed moments. 7/10

A Rich and Nifty Little B-Movie that Takes an Investigative Journalist on a Quest to Find Kidnappers and Stop His Newspaper from Folding. Melvyn Douglas is the Protagonist, but it is the Many Set-Pieces of People and Places that Make This Special.

Always Engaging and there are Outstanding Side-Bars and a Surprisingly Dark Atmosphere and Snappy Dialog Along the Way that was Not Typical of MGM. The Scene at an African American Wake and the Climatic and Dark Display in the Gangster's Car are Exceptional, as are Brief Encounters with a Bird Loving Casino Owner and a Henpecked Groom to be.

Overall, a Very Good Sleeper that is Virtually Unknown and is Deserving of a Rediscovery.

In the 1930s and 40s, Hollywood made tons of mystery films in which private citizens outwit the cops and solve crimes...usually murders. There is a certain sameness to the plots and at least "Tell No Tales" offers a few changes to this formula...the best of which is having it star Melvyn Douglas--a marvelous and versatile who is one of my favorites.

When the story begins, a newspaper is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Unfortunately, just after the festivities begin, the editor, Michael Cassidy (Douglas) learns from the paper's new owner that he's shutting it down....selling it because he never really wanted to own the business, just make a buck splitting it apart!

Naturally Michael is in a funk and he ends up in a local bar. Instead of getting wasted, however, he stumbles upon something which MIGHT help him keep the paper going. One of the bills the bartender had given him turned out to be from a ransom! So, Michael decides to investigate it on his own instead of just passing on this information to the police.

As usual, Douglas turns in a nice and apparently effortless performance. I appreciate how his newspaper editor character differs from the abrasive characters usually played by Lee Tracy (he played newspaper men A LOT).

Unlike most murder mystery B-movies, this one is from MGM...a big studio. While the big studios did make Bs, when it came to murder mysteries, the smaller studios glutted the market....and too many of these films from Monogram, Republic and PRC are inferior in most ways. Here, however, the writing is nice, as is the music, supporting characters...heck, everything is quite polished and nice here. Well worth seeing, though clearly one of Douglas' lesser films.

Director Leslie Fenton had more acting roles than directing roles, but he sure worked with some of the biggies as an actor. and was married to the delicious Ann Dvorak. In Tell No Tales, Melvyn Douglas is the editor of a newspaper that's being shut down, but he thinks he can solve one last big crime to save the paper. Co-stars Gene Lockhart, Louise Platt, and Douglass Dumbrille. some running gags to keep it light. Cassidy (Douglas) helps Ellen (Platt) hide out while he tries to solve the riddle. this one goes all around the mulberry bush.... through a black funeral, through an opera. it's actually quite good. we go along for the ride. and the whole time, we're never sure who's telling the truth. plays now and then on turner classics channel.

Watch this film if only to see black actress Theresa Harris in a dramatic role. I am so used to see her playing maids in films of the 30's that it was a refreshing change of pace and a revelation. She can act! Her home was one of many to which star Melvyn Douglas was led in his effort to track down the owner of a $100 bill that was part of a ransom payment after a kidnapping. Actor Leslie Fenton's first directorial effort is also a well-paced 69-minute crime and mystery drama, packing lots of sleuthing by Douglas, endangering himself and the only witness (Louise Platt) to the kidnapping. I was glued to the story and was biting my nails during the exciting ending. Well worth watching.