The Counterfeiters

1948's "The Counterfeiters" has a stronger cast than expected for a low budget independent, with top billing going to John Sutton, investigating the source of counterfeit bills that have found their way into Britain. The gang is headed by Hugh Beaumont (LEAVE IT TO BEAVER), effectively cast against type, assisted by dimwitted Louie Struber (Lon Chaney) and timid Frankie Dodge (George O'Hanlon). Doris Merrick plays a femme fatale, orchestrating a dizzying array of twists and turns that leave both sides breathless (she went on to do "Untamed Women" and "The Neanderthal Man" before her 1955 retirement). Among the good guys is Robert Kent, billed under the name 'Douglas Blackley,' which he only used during the late 40s. Former teen model Joi Lansing appears briefly as (surprise!) a model, billed as 'Joy Loveland,' first using the name Lansing in 1951. In his film debut as a scowling gang member with few lines, is Scott Brady, born Gerald Kenneth Tierney in 1924 (younger brother of Lawrence), here listed (for the first and last time) as 'Gerard Gilbert.' George O'Hanlon delivers in a tailor-made 'Joe McDoakes' role, and Lon Chaney is both dangerous and amusing doing another 'Lennie Small' turn.

John Sutton is a Scotland Yard Inspector tracing a counterfeiting ring to California, where he starts to. Operate with the Treasury Department. The bad guy at the center seems to be Hugh Beaumont, who's hooked up with Doris Merrick, who seems to want to double-cross everyone, including Lon Chaney Jr., playing Lenny from OF MICE AND MEN, with George O'Hanlon as his comic George.

It's a foolishly inconsistent comedy-drama, in which every character seems to switch around except die Beaumont, who seems to be a consistent bad guy. The records indicate this sat on the shelf for a year after shooting. Since the director is Sam Newfield, and the screenwriter Fred Myton, I'm going to conclude this was shot for PRC and was considered too bad to release... but not for 20th Century-Fox, which probably needed one or two films to fill out it's disappearing B production.

Some comment should be made about the editing, which looks like the guys in charge of that for their hands on an optical printer and squealed with delight: their delight, not the audience's.

A group of counterfeiters are under investigation by Scotland Yard and the FBI, U.S. Treasury Department. Can they bust up this counterfeiting ring before it's too late?

Lon Chaney plays Louie Struber - a character similar to Lennie Small (Of Mice and Men). Louie ain't too bright, he's tough & mean but sometimes hilarious! Louie has a sidekick named Frankie Dodge played brilliantly by George O'Hanlon. When Louie and Frankie are together expect a few laughs!

To give you an idea of the film's humor: Philip Drake (Hugh Beaumont) says in reference to the size of the counterfeiting plates: "One is larger than the other." Louie responds with "That ain't true. One's smaller than the other." -- Yes I laughed out loud!

Wonderful film, I really enjoyed this one! BTW If you like this film try another Chaney film called "Eyes of the Underworld".

9/10