One Mysterious Night

To help raise funds for the war effort, a collection of jewels is being displayed at a posh hotel. That's manna from heaven for a thief and when the famous "Blue Star of the Nile" diamond goes walkabouts and "Blackie" (Chester Morris) is found in the vicinity, well then what else might "Insp. Faraday" (Richard Lane) do but accuse his long-term, if almost always helpful, nemesis. Of course we know all along what's going on, but it's going to be down to "Blackie" and the ever reliable "Runt" (George E. Stone) to clear their names and help the police so that they all find out who did the pinching and retrieve the priceless stone. None of this is really helped by the tenacious journalist "Dorothy" (Janis Carter) who is determined to get the story and who has some useful distractions in her arsenal to trick people into helping her, or giving her information. Though it's perfectly watchable for an hour, this is not one of the more memorable outings from our comedy sleuths, and the story doesn't really give Morris so much opportunity to impose his usually wise-cracking charisma on the proceedings either. Dorothy Malone features sparingly but adds little as the procedural drama does it's job, but not much more, as it reminds the audience to chip in for the war effort.

Enjoyed this Boston Blackie film played by Chester Morris who was called into the case by the Chief Inspector of Police to investigate the stealing of a very important diamond that was stolen. Janis Carter,(Dorothy Anderson) plays a reporter who manages to appear everywhere that Boston Blackie goes and quickly runs off and makes her report to her newspaper. George E. Stone, (The Runt) plays the role as the sidekick to Boston Blackie and gives a great supporting role to his character. Janis Carter appeared in many films during the 40's and 50's and played the role of a very sexy blonde, even in Western films. If you like Chester Morris in this series of films he made, you will definitely enjoy this one.

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 (1944)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Seventh film in Columbia's Boston Blackie series features the directorial debut of Budd Boetticher and features future Oscar winner Dorothy Malone is a small role. In the film, thieves steal a diamond right in front of the police so Inspector Farraday (Richard Lane) calls in Blackie (Chester Morris) for help. With Boetticher directing I was really expecting something special but in all honesty his direction is probably the weakest I've seen in the series. The film runs 61-minutes so there's never a slow moment and as usual, Morris and Lane do a great job together. The story itself is pretty good but again, the director doesn't do anything special with it. Janis Carter is good in her supporting role as well.

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!