Step by Step

Step By Step plays like a feature version of an old time serial. Jam-packed with fist fights, auto chases, Nazi spies (still causing trouble in the pre-Cold War year of 1946), comedy, a little romance, and lots more, Step By Step also features an attractive lead couple in Lawrence Tierney and Anne Jeffreys. Director Phil Rosen's bread and butter was short and sweet Poverty Row programmers, and this is one of his best. Great fun on a low, low budget.

Tune in early as swimwear clad Anne Jeffreys and Lawrence Tierney soak up some Sun before the sand hits the fan in this short n' sinster RKO drama where the two team-up to thwart a ship to shore criminal enterprise in what proves a pretty nifty little thriller. Best known as a good, bad guy (Dillinger), Larry's act here proves a not bad, good guy, you might even say charming, with his furry sidekick Bazooka, played by Rommy, issue of the famous Terry (Toto), proving man's best witness in love AND murder (Born to Kill). This one won't change your life but it'll keep you outta' trouble for 62 minutes (3/4).

Phil Rosen directs this B picture with flair and to that end he is greatly helped by the debonair and good looking leads, Lawrence Tierney and Anne Jeffreys, the latter a stunning beauty reminiscent of a pinup model... and a very, very cute mutt who gets to have the last snarl in the movie!

Cinematography is quite good for a B pic, action sequences - especially the fisticuffs - are well worked (though you can tell a stuntman does Tierney's fight sequences), and the script is strong, credible and very funny in parts, with the abovementioned cute dog making us wag our tails...

At a short 61', a most enjoyable way to spend time.

Short Little Throw-Away of a Movie has a Fast Pace and a Lawrence Tierney Good Guy to Boot. It is Exciting and Never Very Serious in its Attempt at a Story of German Spies (the war was over), but Nevertheless was Undeterred in Using the Defeated Nazis as Germans Gone Underground just Waiting for Another Chance.

It is All Flighty and Fluff with a Dog. Some Comedy Among the Espionage as the Mistaken Identity Couple Outwit the Police and the Bad Guys with the Help of an Old Jalopy and a Crusty Geezer with a Knack for Knowing Innocence when He sees it.

At just Over an Hour it is a Pleasant Time Waster with some Joyful Action and Plenty of Silly Suspense to Keep Things Interesting. It may be the Only Movie where the Star is in a Bathing Suit and Nothing Else, Showing Plenty of Beefcake, for what Seems-Like Forever in this Oddly Pastiched Programmer.

Okay RKO programmer. Though released in 1946, the premise involves Nazis trying to keep their goals alive. Actually, the script makes reference to historical Germany (Bismarck) as "enemies of civilization", no less. Anyhow, discharged marine Johnny (Tierney) gets accidentally mixed up with the Nazi remnants, and gets blamed for murders the die-hards actually committed. Good thing he's got help from comely blonde Evelyn (Jeffreys) and motel owner (Cleveland).The remainder involves a lot of sometimes aimless chasing around. For me, the highlights are the expertly photographed ocean views. To its credit, this programmer goes beyond the usual cramping studio sets.

Looks like RKO was promoting Tierney as studio stud since he spends movie's first third shirtless, sporting manly pecs and flat belly. He does well enough in hero's role, but his real charisma showed through as emotionless villains, e.g. (Born to Kill, {1947}). To bad for his career he couldn't stay off the juice and barroom brawls. (Apparently, he scared the heck out of the amiable cast of Seinfeld, {1989-1998}, when he appeared in an episode.) Nonetheless he was a distinctive screen presence, though that presence doesn't really come through here.

All in all, director Rosen keeps things moving, which helps divert attention from a convoluted narrative. But my guess is that the script was hastily reworked once the big war ended. Happily, RKO soon turned to noir.