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Criminal Investigator

  • 1942
  • Approved
  • 1h 1m
IMDb RATING
5.6/10
76
YOUR RATING
Robert Lowery in Criminal Investigator (1942)
Film NoirCrimeDramaMysteryRomance

A reporter investigates the murder of a showgirl, who was the widow of a millionaire.A reporter investigates the murder of a showgirl, who was the widow of a millionaire.A reporter investigates the murder of a showgirl, who was the widow of a millionaire.

  • Director
    • Jean Yarbrough
  • Writers
    • George Jeske
    • Edmond Kelso
  • Stars
    • Robert Lowery
    • Edith Fellows
    • John Miljan
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.6/10
    76
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Jean Yarbrough
    • Writers
      • George Jeske
      • Edmond Kelso
    • Stars
      • Robert Lowery
      • Edith Fellows
      • John Miljan
    • 3User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos3

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    Top cast25

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    Robert Lowery
    Robert Lowery
    • Bob Martin
    Edith Fellows
    Edith Fellows
    • Ellen Grey
    John Miljan
    John Miljan
    • Edward Judson
    Jan Wiley
    Jan Wiley
    • Harriet Drake
    Charles Jordan
    • Charlie Brannigan
    Gloria Faye
    • Belle
    Paul Bryar
    Paul Bryar
    • Stuart
    George O'Hanlon
    George O'Hanlon
    • Powers
    Allyn Drake
    • Joyce Greeley
    • (as Vivian Wilcox)
    Charlie Hall
    Charlie Hall
    • Soapy Davis
    • (as Charles Hall)
    John Maxwell
    John Maxwell
    • Brandt
    Lawrence Creighton
    • Secondary Role
    Mauritz Hugo
    Mauritz Hugo
    • James Black
    Mary Bovard
    • Marie - Ellen's School Friend
    Bonnie Kildare
    Bonnie Kildare
    • Ellen's 2nd School Friend
    Jack Cheatham
    Jack Cheatham
    • Druggist
    • (uncredited)
    Dick Elliott
    Dick Elliott
    • Ed Brandt
    • (uncredited)
    Frank Ellis
    Frank Ellis
    • Policeman
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Jean Yarbrough
    • Writers
      • George Jeske
      • Edmond Kelso
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews3

    5.676
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    Featured reviews

    7JohnHowardReid

    Any Movie with George O'Hanlon Is a Must-See!

    Although largely unknown except to "B"-feature fans who search out the DVD offerings from companies like Teakwood Video and R&B Video, this crime melodrama is actually a cut or two above the usual Monogram level and offers quite passable entertainment for viewers with a spare hour on their hands.

    The playing by almost all concerned is unexpectedly very competent, while the pace rates as surprisingly brisk and the script even offers a genuinely unexpected double climax that is really staged with some flair by normally humdrum director Jean Yarbrough.

    John Miljan gives a creditable account of himself in one of those shady lawyer roles in which he was frequently type-cast, though he is considerably less stiff than usual. Edith Fellows in her last starring role on the big screen before moving over to the stage and then television, is an effective heroine, although she does not have any of the film's songs. The script gives these to Jan Wiley, who renders them pleasantly enough though they are all quite unmemorable. Nonetheless, the backstage background with its bevy of leggy chorus girls certainly adds to the film's appeal. And any movie featuring George O'Hanlon is a must-see in my opinion! Hero Robert Lowery is one of the few weak links. He is a bit wet and the photography tends to be flat, but other production credits are more than adequate.
    5boblipton

    Promising Little Monogram Mystery Doesn't Quite Deliver

    Robert Lowery is foisted on nespaper editor Dick Elliott as a cub reporter. He gives him an impossible assignment as a get-the-story-or-you're-gone challenge, and soon he finds himself involved in a well-tangled mystery involving a missing woman, and her sister, Edith Fellowes.

    Director Jean Yarbrough tries for a deepening suspense, starting with Lowery getting an interview by getting himself thrown in jail. There are a few too many coincidences, and Lowery can't seem to vary his tone at this stage of his career. Miss Fellowes is on the verge of making the move from juvenile actress to adult, but not quite. Both would have careers that included almost 125 features for Lowery before his death in 1971 at the age of 58, and for Miss Fellowes through 1995. She died in 2011, aged 88.
    5Paularoc

    Pleasant but not riveting Monogram

    I enjoy the B murder mysteries from the 1930s and 40s and this one is a Monogram mystery without a lot of sparkle but at least the print I saw of it on Netflix was pristine – and this is a good thing. Robert Lowery who has a very likable if somewhat bland screen persona is an aspiring reporter who gets his job because of his policeman father's pull. But actually he's a good reporter and soon stumbles (almost literally) over the body of a murdered showgirl who has just been released from prison. While investigating the murder he meets the dead woman's sister who unknowingly holds the key to her sister's murder. While there is a solid supporting cast including the always reliable and always suave and sly John Miljan, this movie is a little too light on snap and humor - but still a pleasant way to pass an hour.

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      This film received its earliest documented telecast Monday 21 August 1944 on New York City's pioneer television station WNBT (Channel 1). Post-WWII television viewers got their first look at it in New York City Tuesday 25 May 1948 on WCBS (Channel 2), in Cincinnati Tuesday 7 June 1949 on WKRC (Channel 11), in Los Angeles Sunday 19 June 1949 on KTLA (Channel 5), and in Salt Lake City Thursday 15 December 1949 on KSL (Channel 5).

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • October 23, 1942 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • American Sign Language
    • Also known as
      • Crime Reporter
    • Production company
      • Lindsley Parsons Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      • 1h 1m(61 min)
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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