One Mysterious Night

The entry is mainly for fans of the Blackie series. I dropped in because of cult actress Janis Carter and cult director Buddy Boetticher. However, not much of classic Boetticher shows in the pacing or proceedings, but Carter does show her brand of spunk as an ace newspaper reporter. The plot revolves around a stolen diamond that may or may not be a fake.

But the real appeal, such as it is, is with the characters. Lane does his bit as a fast-talking Inspector Farraday, while Morris tries on a few colorful impersonations in pursuit of the culprits. Still, I wish we saw more in a bit part of the gorgeous Dorothy Malone, who's clearly on her way up the Hollywood ladder. Then too, more of Carter would have added more spice to a plot pretty much lacking in suspense. As things stand, the movie is an occasionally humorous programmer but nothing more.

The famous Blue Star diamond is on display at a war fund benefit. Cops are everywhere to prevent any funny business, but—what's this? A sudden row in the gallery, a bunch of noise and commotion, and…the diamond is gone! (It looked pretty easy to me, actually.)

Of course, Inspector Farraday jumps immediately to the conclusion that the only man who could have stolen the diamond is Boston Blackie. But just a moment; it is soon revealed that his loud accusation is nothing other than Farraday's way of "sending for" Blackie. Sure enough, Blackie soon arrives at Farraday's desk and—in a nice new twist to the series—Farraday explains to Blackie that he needs his help: "Now you can call me anything you like, but I'm deputizing you as my assistant on this case, and I'm not taking no for an answer!" The Runt is doubtful, but Blackie readily agrees, is handed a badge, and gets right to work on a disguise or two.

The plot revolving around the stolen gem involves a young man mixed up with a gang of crooks, and the worried sister who lives with and tries to guide him. The sister is played by a very young Dorothy Malone, who has a small role but puts in a fine bit of actual dramatic acting in the scene in which she chews out her brother for falling in with the bad guys.

Chester Morris and Richard Lane are, as always, fun to watch as Blackie and Farraday, and seeing them as a "team" (with the exception of a brief spell where Farraday revives his habitual old suspicions) adds a bit of new life to this episode. George E. Stone as the Runt is faithful but worried as the loyal assistant.

We never do find out, however, just how blond reporter Janis Carter is able to see through Blackie's disguise so quickly. But she sure seems to enjoy chasing him around for the whole movie!

The police, being largely incompetent in the Boston Blackie series thus far, finally admit they suck and ask Blackie for help retrieving the stolen Blue Star of the Nile diamond. I'd like to give Inspector Farraday some credit for character growth for coming up with the plan, seeing as how up until this point he believed Blackie was capable of any and every type of crime. But unfortunately this change was short-lived and by the next picture Blackie was back to being Farraday's eternal suspect again.

Another fun Boston Blackie movie with typically likable turns from Chester Morris as Blackie, Richard Lane as Farraday, and George E. Stone as Blackie's sidekick, Runt. Three recurring characters in the series -- Arthur Manleder, Jumbo Madigan, and Sgt. Matthews -- are played by new actors in this one. I prefer the originals in these parts as these new guys are kind of bland and forgettable. Very early screen role for Dorothy Malone. This is also the directorial debut of future famed western director Budd Boetticher.

"One Mysterious Night" is a Boston Blackie film starring Chester Morris and made in 1944. In this one, Inspector Farraday accuses Blackie of stealing a valuable diamond, in the hopes of bringing him to the police station so he can get his help in recovering it. It works, and Blackie and the Runt (George E. Stone) are put on the case. Meanwhile, Blackie is dogged by a good-looking reporter (Janis Carter) who sees through a couple of his disguises.

What makes this series is the good fun provided by Chester Morris as Blackie. It's not much of a mystery - in fact, we know at least one of the participants in the robbery from the beginning.

The attractive Janis Carter stands out as the reporter.

Entertaining if not great.

At an exhibition of art and jewelry for the purpose of raising money for war funds, the most valuable of all pieces, a huge diamond, is mysteriously stolen - so what does Inspector Faraday tell the reporters to print? That Boston Blackie did the 'job'! But why? To get him to help the police solve the case!!

Now that's a new one, Blackie with a police badge in his pocket - but the rest is more or less familiar: the most hilarious chases, the most daring escapes - and two dumb flatfoots playing cards for an hour right next to the two thieves who are posing as dummies in a store!

Good, solid, and clever entertainment as always by Blackie with the thousand faces (this time Chester Morris impersonates an elderly professor, for instance, with the greatest credibility!), his friend the Runt, and the whole bunch of stupid policemen; and not a dull moment!