Nine Lives Are Not Enough

On the outs with his editor, reporter Matt Sawyer (Ronald Reagan) could use a big story. He finds one when he stumbles upon the suicide of missing tycoon Edward Abbott. But something about the facts doesn't add up, making Matt suspect that the millionaire was murdered. Joining Matt on his search for the truth is Abbott's lovely daughter, Jane (Joan Perry). Along the way, Matt will have to stay one step ahead of rival reporter "Snappy" Lucas (Charles Drake) -- and the real killer.

Ronald Reagan exudes energy and charm in this lively mystery, intermingled with slapstick, farce and detective work. It's got good production values, the plot is sharp and and the finale is very good.

In Nine Lives Aren't Enough, a pre-politician Ronald Reagan plays a brash reporter with a tendency to add some fiction and conjecture to his stories, much to the irritation of editor Howard Da Silva. Lucking into a big story during a police ride-along, he soon finds himself dodging thugs, foiling competition, and charming the pretty Joan Perry.

The cast is solid and the movie is generally pretty amusing, but it also exhibits all the sloppiness typical of B movies. Characters are little more than one character trait, and Perry is weirdly chipper and flirtatious for someone who just lost their father *that* *day*.

It's very watchable, but not especially memorable.

This is a B-movie that Ronald Reagan made for Warner Brothers near the beginning of his career. Unlike many of his previous films, here he plays lead and he seemed very adept to this sort of film. Plus it sure helped that he had excellent support in the form of several adept character actors--including Eddie Brophy, James Gleason and Howard de Silva.

Reagan plays a crime reporter who seems to drive his boss crazy. Several times, Reagan's stories turned out to be seriously mistaken and instead of firing him, the editor gives him a dead-end assignment--going out on patrol with a couple idiot cops (Brophy and Gleason). However, instead of punishment, it turns out that there really is a story, as a missing millionaire is unexpectedly found dead in a local rooming house. So, it's up to Reagan and his police friends to uncover the mystery in a film that is highly reminiscent of a Falcon or Saint series film. Despite being a very likable and competent film, the series never clicked and this is the only one of the series.

This is a delightful mystery with a great performance from Ronald Reagan. At a very quickly paced 63 minutes, the action rarely lets up, and the plot has enough turns to keep you guessing. I was suprised at Reagan's excellent timing and charm - in so many films he comes off as stuffy, but not here. Great supporting cast kept everything lively and great fun to watch - highly recommended!

Nine Lives Are Not Enough is a great example of the studio system at work. This is so obviously a property that was meant for the Cagney- O'Brien duo who made so many good films at Warners. Instead of Ronald Reagan as the fast talking reporter, picture Jimmy Cagney in the part and instead of Howard DaSilva as the hardboiled editor, this is Pat O'Brien to a T. See what I mean.

Pat O'Brien was ending his Warner Brothers contract stint and the studio was trying to give Cagney better parts. So we substitute Reagan and DaSilva who as a team wouldn't set the world on fire. Jack Warner was quoted once as saying the reason he supported Ronald Reagan for Governor of California was that while at Warners, Reagan was a very obliging man, who took whatever was given him without complaint. That kind of loyalty needs to be rewarded.

Despite this film being a Cagney-O'Brien hand-me-down, it's fast paced and amusing enough on it's own terms. A good cast of colorful character actors help it along. Make special note of the performances of James Gleason and Edward Brophy as the two cops reporter Reagan is assigned with in their patrol car.