Um Casal Como Poucos

Really liked the first film in the 'Fast...' film series from the late 30s, comprising of three films starting with 'Fast Company' and finishing with 'Fast and Furious'. Moderately liked if not loved the next film 'Fast and Loose', which had a better female lead and better leads chemistry but the plot wasn't as focused. So hopes were understandably reasonably high for 'Fast and Furious', again with changes to the cast and directed by Busby Berkeley in a relatively atypical film for him.

'Fast and Furious' is a decent time passer and not too bad a way to finish a film series that is not bad at all. There are inevitable but slightly unfair comparisons to 'The Thin Man' films, for reasons described in my review for 'Fast and Loose', but these three films don't fare too unfavourably and fare quite well on their own terms (especially 'Fast Company'). 'Fast and Furious' doesn't disappoint too much, it's not a great film in my view but it entertains enough and is above average at least. Of the three films though, it's perhaps the weakest.

There is a lot to like here. It is slickly and attractively made, not lavish or too fancy but there isn't a cheapness about it and it doesn't look rushed. Berkeley's direction is more subdued to usual, not his usual elaborate and dazzling visual extravaganzas that made the musicals choreographed by him so memorable and the complete opposite to that but he didn't seem uninterested or ill at ease with the material. The music is not quite William Axt level, who excelled in the previous two films, but has some nice atmosphere without being too heavy or too serious.

Script has some nice wit and snap and doesn't seem muddled, again like 'Fast and Loose' the comedy does fare better than the mystery and much of it amuses. The story is easier to follow than that for 'Fast and Loose' and generally compels, enough of it being lively. Franchot Tone is charming and suave and has a likeable chemistry with the not as subtle but "still giving it everything she's got" Ann Sothern. The supporting cast are all strong, Ruth Hussey and hilarious Frank Orth (as one of the most entertaining characters) coming off strongest.

Again, the mystery could have been a little better with more surprises and suspense. It's easier to follow here and with less of an overlong feel but there is a routine feel at times. The pace is generally solid but the film does have dull stretches, with the early portions taking a little long to find its rhythm, and more energy and tension wouldn't have gone amiss.

Like before, there could have been fewer characters and not all of them seemed necessary.

In conclusion, not great but nice enough. 6/10

Engaging fluff which must have been a second feature back in Hollywood's Golden Age. Franchot Tone and Ann Sothern are the principals in a comedy/ mystery with a dizzy plot. The couple go on a semi-vacation to what must be Atlantic City. Tone is to be a judge at a beauty contest but the promoter is murdered during the festivities. Lots of snappy dialogue and plot twists in this good-natured story, directed by none other than Busby Berkley.

Tone and Sothern work well together to make the picture work and with able support from Lee Bowman and Ruth Hussey. Harmless fun from this better-than-average 'B" picture that strives to be an "A".

6/10 - Website no longer prints my star rating.

Franchot Tone and Ann Sothern star as Joel and Garda Sloane in this slick, lighthearted murder mystery. Joel loans his good friend Mike (Lee Bowman) $5,000 to invest in a beauty pageant. Mike invites Joel to the pageant and enlists him as a judge. When the pageant's producer is murdered and the police are convinced that Mike did it, Joel and Garda decide to investigate in order to clear Mike. It's all a bit of a lark since no one really liked the murder victim. As to be expected, Tone and Sothern did a good job with their banter and comedic flair. However, Sothern's Garda's excessive jealousy of Joel's casual attention to the bevy of beauties quickly becomes boring and somewhat annoying. The bit about the lion tamer (Frank Orth) and his two lions is far fetched but quite funny. This is an entertaining and enjoyable movie and is recommended.

When Busby Berkeley moved from Warner Brothers to MGM he wanted to be directing straight dramatic items as well as musicals. MGM obliged him with this Fast And Furious which in its 70 minute running time lives up to its name.

Franchot Tone and Ann Sothern play a married lawyer and wife who works as secretary and they look as playful and hip as Nick and Nora Charles. In fact Tone is asked to be a judge at an oceanside beauty pageant (Atlantic City in all but name) and sees this as a dream vacation. He throws an investment into the pageant and their friend Lee Bowman throws a lot more.

Which is in danger of being lost when it comes to their attention that the organizer John Miljan is going skip with the pageant money without wife Ruth Hussey and with contestant Mary Beth Hughes. In fact Bowman confronts Miljan who winds up shot to death and Bowman looking good for it.

That's when Tone goes to work to clear his friend Bowman. I have to confess I had it wrong in terms of the eventual murderer and that's when I like a mystery.

It's a B film from MGM, but their product would be a big budget item at Monogram or PRC. Tone and Sothern register well as a fun married couple. They have two good scenes, a harrowing one when they are in an elevator shaft and nearly crushed and a rather extended encounter with lion tamer Frank Orth and his 3 lions who are staying at the hotel. They must have one liberal guest policy.

Fast And Furious is the pace of the film and a fun film it is.

Ann Sothern and Franchot Tone are a young married couple in "Fast and Furious" which also stars Allan Joslyn, Ruth Hussey, and Mary Beth Hughes.

A friend hits lawyer Joel Sloane (Tone) up for a loan to finance a beauty pageant taking place at a resort and invites Sloane and wife Garda (Sothern) to come see the show. After they arrive, the boss of the operation is murdered, and Joel's friend is jailed on suspicion. It's up to Joel to stop looking at the bathing suited beauties and solve the case.

This is a routine film, rather slow, with some nice humor. Tone and Sothern are a delightful couple. This is the earliest film in which I've seen Ann Sothern, whom I remember from her TV series as a child. She's gorgeous! A real knockout. She and Tone have the charm and lightness necessary for their roles; it's a shame they couldn't have had a better script.

Though this is directed by Busby Berkeley, there are no flashy dance numbers but he does regale us with some neat camera work.

A very pleasant film.