Tear Gas Squad

During the 1930s, 40s and 50s, thousands of B-movies were made by Hollywood. However, these second features weren't always bad AND they weren't always made by tiny film studios. In the case of "Tear Gas Squad", it's a film from Warner Brothers...but it's clearly a B as it only runs 55 minutes and features the studio's second-string actors.

The film features two brothers--Tommy and Joe McCabe. When the film begins, the druggist, Joe (George Reeves) becomes a hero when he captures two criminals. His brother, Tommy (Dennis Morgan), is quite different. He's brash and pretty obnoxious. However, when he meets a cute lady whose family consists of cops, he impulsively joins the service to impress her. However, during his time in the police academy, Tommy is a know-it-all....and his instructor (John Payne) is NOT impressed. To make things worse, they both are in love with the same woman.

Despite only clocking in at 55 minutes, there is tons of singing in the film...too much for such a short film. I guess I can't blame Warner too much...Morgan had a lovely voice. But sometimes the film loses its direction with all these numbers....and one or two less would have improved the picture AND made the story more believable. Plus there is a scene involving a cigarette on the gun range that, frankly, is stupid and never would occur in real life. Because of these things, despite the film being very slickly made, it's only an okay movie. It easily could have been better...but it is watchable as a time-passer.

Tear Gas Squad (1940)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Cheap but fun "B" picture from Warner has Dennis Morgan playing a lounge singer who does a routine as a cop, which crosses the line with a beautiful woman (Gloria Dickson) there watching. Soon she invites the singer to her house where he learns that there are all cops in her family and there's another man, also a cop (John Payne), who also has a thing for her. The singer decides to become a cop himself and this here is where the trouble starts. TEAR GAS SQUAD is pretty straight from start to finish and it follows just about every cliché that you'd expect it to but I still thought the film managed to be quite entertaining through its 55-minute running time. The best thing about the picture is that director Terry O. Morse manages to keep it running at an extremely fast pace and he never lets any of the action slow down. There are all sorts of strange things going on here including the non-stop singing from Morgan who is constantly throwing out a song. Even stranger is the entire love triangle as the woman pretty much disappears from the picture and we're just left with two guys who can't stand one another. Of course there has to be "drama" from the poor attitude of the singer, his fall from grace and then the redemption. I thought Morgan and Payne were both very entertaining in their roles. I'd stop short of saying they gave great performances since the material is pretty light but there's still no doubt that they help keep the film entertaining. Dickson was good as the love interest but she really didn't have too much to do. George Reeves has a couple quick but memorable scenes. If you're looking for top-notch entertainment or an Oscar-winner then you're not going to find it here but those who like "B" movies should find plenty of entertainment here.

Cocky young nightclub singer joins police force to win affection of cop family's daughter.

The title remains a mystery since the crime part comes as something of an after-thought. And when the title tear gas finally does fly, it's short-lived. Actually, the movie's a showcase for Morgan who's clearly on his way to bigger and better things. Despite the B-budget, he comes through here in spades with a lively performance and a fine singing voice.

In fact, the production looks like an opportunity for a number of likable younger players— Payne, Reeves, Anderson— resulting in an uncommonly good-looking male cast. The rivalry between Morrissey (Payne) and McCabe (Morgan) appears both natural and the movie's dramatic centerpiece.

Sure, the story's about as hackneyed as they come. But it's a Warner Bros. production and no one was more energetic on screen than the studio of Cagney, Flynn, and Robinson. Their crews knew how to keep a story moving in both filming and editing. And, despite the limitations, this lively little endeavor is no exception.

(In passing—note the presence of two cast members from 1950's Superman series, George Reeves {Joe McCabe} along with John Hamilton {police chief}. Also, look quickly for Perry Mason's William Hopper in an early walk-on.)

Oddball quickie from Warner Brothers, which is part musical, part romance, part police story, and almost no tear gas.

Dennis Morgan plays a singer (surprise) who does a "singing cop" act. He decides to join the force to impress Gloria Dickson, much to the dismay of her current suitor and cop John Payne. The only action, including the tear gas, occurs in the final ten minutes or so. Morgan is so appealing that you can put up with most of the nonsense that occurs for most of the film (like his singing in the police glee club). There are plenty of familiar faces, including Perry White as the Police Chief (and Morgan does get to call him "Chief"), Superman as Morgan's brother, Paul Drake in a bit part, Dennis the Menace's father, and Uncle Joe (movin' mighty slow) from Hooterville. Speaking of which, Gloria Dickson was one hot babe.

A bit of history is called for in explaining the misleading title.

Often in B-film productions, the studios would assign the producer only a "power title" with a hoped-for marquee value. From just that pre-assigned title with which to work, the film's storyline would then evolve.

Well, the film attached to the title "Tear Gas Squad" turns out to be a terrific little musical-comedy programmer with a great cast and original songs and music by Jack Scholl and M. K. Jerome (whose biggest fame would come from "Casablanca" two years later).

The great Irish tenor of Dennis Morgan shines. All else is a pleasurable hour of concise entertainment. Recommended!