The Man Who Wouldn't Die

Any movie from the Michael Shayne Detective series can be counted on to deliver an enjoyable mystery story. In this film Lloyd Nolan once again delivers a good performance as he works to solve a murder which took place at the estate of a wealthy US Senator. Everything wraps-up neatly in about 65 minutes which means that there is no wasted time with boring sub plots or long talky scenes ala todays' crop of over hyped and over long releases. A good supporting cast helps Nolan turn this into a fine stylish film. Olin Howlin does a great job and provides just the right amount of restrained comic relief as the police chief. Enjoy

None of these actors sounded familiar to me but for some reason I was drawn to check out The Man Who Wouldn't Die and am so very happy that I did. For starters there's the cast: at first the Michael Shayne character played by Nolan is kind of obnoxious but through Nolan's unrelenting charm and humor I grew to really like both the character and the actor. Then there's Weaver who is instantly likeable and quite attractive as well. Really the entire cast does a swell job, it's a very solid ensemble. The twists and turns of the ever evolving plot are great fun and even though at one point I had no idea where all of it was going, it came together quite wonderfully in the end. The Man Who Wouldn't Die is a surprise gem worth checking out.

I ended up catching this on the Movies!network-the digital TV channel broad-casted by a lot of fox affiliates. I thought it was a fun movie. Lloyd Nolan was great. I knew him more from his character bits on TV in the 1970s. I really enjoyed him in the McCloud episode of the western cowboys that rob an armored car. This movie had a nice mix between comedy and a nice if not ground breaking mystery story. Great chemistry between Nolan and his costar. I had not seen others in this series but would not mind checking it out. The style reminds a little of the Thin Man series or some of the better written Abbott and Costello movies (I always liked their two mystery type movies Who Done It and Meet The Killer Boris Karloff).

Another fun Michael Shayne movie starring Lloyd Nolan. Hearing Nolan with his distinctive voice and accent rattling off the snappy patter is music to the ears. This time around private eye Shayne journeys to an estate to help a friend in danger. The friend is played by likable Marjorie Weaver in her second of three Michael Shayne movies. She played a different character in each one. Olin Howland is a great deal of fun as an incomplete police chief. Highlights include a great car chase, some nice old dark house mystery atmosphere, and one particularly effective scene where the camera zooms in on a shadowy figure whose eyes are practically glowing. Cool stuff!

What a great old film. I am lucky enough to have found over the years a mint 16mm sound print an a very good vhs copy (Captain Bejoiu). The story starts out with a very mysterious burial scene on a cold windy nite. There is the "Old Forboding Mansion" and the usual cast of 20th Century stock players including Paul Harvey who is great as Dudly Wolfe. But as usual, Lloyd Nolan steals the show as Shayne with his whimsical irish humor and dapper acting. Marge Reynolds is great as his wife? With the reoccuring thunder storm as a backdrop and the "undead" body with glowing eyes trying to kill any and everyone in the house, it makes for a spine-tingling murder mystery that is as good as most of the sad new ones w/o the sex and overdone violence. 1942 appears to be one of the best years for movies in Hollywood. So many great features with outstanding character actors of the time. LeRoy Mason is great as the "undead" killer who stocks the remaining frightened guests and family at the Wolfe Mansion. If it shows up on Fox Movie Channel, do yourself a favor and watch it!