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FORTY NAUGHTY GIRLS (RKO Radio, 1937) directed by Edward Cline, marks the sixth and final installment involving Stuart Palmer based characters of Hildegarde Withers and Inspector Piper that began with PENGUIN POOR MURDER (1932) starring Edna May Oliver and James Gleason. With James Gleason heading the cast and the only one to play the same character throughout the entire series, this edition marks the second the co-star the miscast ZaSu Pitts playing Miss Withers. As much as this could have been called "Murder at the Show," its chosen theatrical title is actually the name of the play where both Piper and Withers are part of the audience only to find their evening spoiled when a murder takes place backstage.

Set in New York City's Broadway district, the sold-out box office success of "Forty Naughty Girls" is going on its twelfth week with motion picture rights being considered. The plot development revolves around Edward C. "Windy" Bennett (Eddie Marr), a press agent in love with its leading lady, Rita Marlowe (Joan Woodbury), but happens to be engaged to the show's producer, Ricky Rickman (Alan Edwards). During the performance, Windy makes a pass on June Preston (Marjorie Lord), one of the entertainers, but is socked down by Bert (George Shelley) in her defense. Later, June returns to her dressing room to discover Windy dead. Oscar Piper (James Gleason) of the Homicide Squad, and Hildegarde Withers (ZaSu Pitts), his date for the evening, are called to investigate. As Piper goes through his usual channels of investigation with Casey (Tom Kennedy), another member of the police force, Hildegarde goes through her own methods smelling chorus girls to locate the fragrance that matches the victim's handkerchief. With Tommy Washburn (Aden Chase) shot during a skit believed to be part of the act, Piper is more baffled about the gun used for the skit was not the one used for the killing. Other members of the cast include Frank M Thomas, Barbara Pepper and Edward LeSaint. Songs heard during the show are "Forty Naughty Girls" and "What a Thrill."

Though the story starts off well, it fails to deliver into a classic murder tale. Often considered as the weakest of the entire series, it's amazing the series went this far after the departure of Edna May Oliver. What might have helped this, and Pitt's series debut of THE PLOT THICKENS (1936) was in having Pitts playing Hildegarde's sister (let's call her Withergarde) rather than recasting the original character. This way it would be Piper investigating with another character as opposed to those familiar with the series to not comparing Oliver's superior performance to Pitt's dithering downplay. Clocked at its short 62 minutes, with the majority of the story being more Piper than Withers which helped somewhat but much of the overly familiar comedic overtones offered little or no humor to the proceedings.

Never distributed on video cassette, FORTY NAUGHTY GIRLS and others in the series did have cable television broadcasts over the years as American Movie Classics (prior to 1999) and later Turner Classic Movies. (**)

THE PLOT THICKENS (RKO Radio, 1936) directed by Ben Holmes, marks the fifth installment of Stuart Palmer's "Hildegarde Withers" mysteries Though James Gleason resumes his Inspector Oscar Piper of the Homicide Bureau, a role he originated in PENGUIN POOL MURDER (1932), followed by its sequels, MURDER ON THE BLACKBOARD (1934), MURDER ON A HONEYMOON (1935) all starring Edna May Oliver as Hildegarde Withers; and MURDER ON A BRIDAL PATH (1936) with the recasting of Helen Broderick as Hildegarde Withers. While Broderick made a fine substitute for Oliver, Miss Withers this time around is recast again, played by the miscast ZaSu Pitts. Having worked together in previous films together, Gleason and Pitts show they make a grand team. Overlooking the fact that Pitts is no Edna May Oliver, and James Gleason gets more screen time than Pitts, THE PLOT THICKENS is actually good enough installment to hold its own.

Starting traditionally with a prologue set in New York's Van Cortlandt Park, plot development begins with the introduction of various characters: Officer Cassidy (Lew Kelly), an astrologist who reads about horoscopes and asking those about their birthday; to Robert Wilkins (Owen Davis Jr.) arguing with his girlfriend, Alice Stevens (Louise Latimer) over her involvement with millionaire businessman John Carter (Richard Tucker). Threatened not to see him again, Alice goes against his wishes by telephoning Carter to meet with her in the park. Discovered inside Carter's Roadster, the over jealous Robert threatens Carter but is stopped by Cassidy. After resisting Carter's advances, Alice leaves only to hear a gunshot and finding Carter murdered. The following morning, Carter's body is discovered seated behind the desk in his library by his butler, Kendall (Arthur Aylesworth). Inspector Oscar Piper (James Gleason) and his assistant, Jim (James Donlan) are called to investigate. As much as Piper intends on solving this case on his own, crime solver Hildegarde Withers (ZaSu Pitts) appears with intentions to help Oscar. Others involved in the case are Marie (Barbara Barondess), the maid; Joe (Paul Fix), the chauffeur; and Theresa (Bodil Rosing), the cook. The Carter case soon gets more involved and interesting as Miss Withers comes upon a priceless Cellini Cup located at a museum leading to more mystery than expected.

For its crisp 67 minutes, the involvement of both park murder and international jewel thievery gets better as the story progresses. Even though Pitts doesn't attempt to carbon copy either Oliver or Broderick's mannerisms of Hildegarde Withers, she manages not to do any damage to her character even when performed in the best Zasu Pitts tradition. Though the series could have ended here, the studio resumed with one last try reteaming Gleason and Pitts for FORTY NAUGHTY GIRLS (1937). That entry may have its moments but not enough to resume for more installments or turn it into a grand finale. (**1/2)

THE MALTESE FALCON (Warner Brothers, 1941) written and directed by John Huston, based on the novel by Dashiell Hammett, is regarded the best, if not, one of the best detective movies ever produced. While William Powell will be forever connected as Nick Charles, a/k/a THE THIN MAN (1934), Humphrey Bogart will be remembered for his characterization as Samuel "Sam" Spade along with his other sleuth of Philip Marlowe in THE BIG SLEEP (1946). Though a classic in its own right, this THE MALTESE FALCON is not an original production. Warners filmed it earlier in 1931 starring Bebe Daniels and Ricardo Cortez (televised as "Dangerous Female") and revamped it again in comedy mode as SATAN MET A LADY (1936) with Bette Davis and Warren William. These two editions, especially the latter one, had little or no lasting impact. For many, this third carnation proved to be more favorable, in fact, an improvement over the earlier screen adaptations that still holds up decades after its initial release. Not only did it take Bogart to a whole new level in critical acclaim but also proved to be the one, the only one best associated with Mary Astor, not overlooking her scene stealing Academy Award win as Best Supporting Actress for THE GREAT LIE (1941) opposite Bette Davis. After repeated viewings, the success of THE MALTESE FALCON relies both on its perfect casting and first-time direction by John Huston.

Opening with an overview of San Francisco, California, the story introduces Samuel Spade (Humphrey Bogart) and Miles Archer (Jerome Cowan) as partners of a detective agency, with Effie Perine (Lee Patrick) as their secretary. They meet with a proposed client from New York by the name of Miss Wonderly (Mary Astor) searching for her sister who happens to be married to Floyd Thursby. Miles assigns himself to the assignment only to be found dead along with Thursby later that night. Leaving a widow, Iva Archer (Gladys George), who's been carrying on an affair with Sam, has hounding detectives Dundy (Barton MacLane) and Tom Polhaus (Ward Bond) suspecting Sam responsible for Archer's murder to be free and marry Iva. After Miss Wonderly reveals her true name of Bridgid O'Shaughnessy and being in danger, Sam encounters more mystery when visited by Joel Cairo (Peter Lorre) offering him $5,000 to locate a valuable black statuette of a falcon with valuable jewels hidden inside; to be later shadowed by a Wilmer Cook (Elisha Cook Jr.), associate of Casper Gutman (Sydney Greenstreet), a 300-pound man hoping he could locate and produce the falcon, and after 17 years in search will stop at nothing to get it. Other members in the cast include James Burke, John Hamilton, and cameo appearance by John Huston's father, Walter.

Nominated for an Academy Award as Best Picture, other nomination goes to Sydney Greenstreet (in movie debut) in a mesmerizing performance. Great camera shot of Greenstreet where his presence fills the screen is hard to overlook. Even though the name of Gladys George is listed third in the casting credits, she is given only three minor scenes playing a dressed in black widow. By the time the closing credits reach the screen, it already forgotten she's in the movie at all.

The success of THE MALTESE FALCON reunited director John Huston with Bogart, Astor and Greenstreet again for ACROSS THE PACIFIC (1942). Due to frequent television revivals and availability of both video cassette and DVD, the initial union (which was colorized in the late 1980s) is obviously best known and admired, especially in original format of black and white. A long-awaited sequel THE BLACK BIRD (Columbia, 1976) starring George Segan as Sam Spade Jr. With Lee Patrick and Elisha Cook Jr. Reprising their original roles, is not as well-known as this true classic that can be seen over and over again without any loss of interest. (***1/2)