Torchy Gets Her Man

The sixth of Warner Brothers' nine Torchy Blane series returns with the usual troupe, led by Glenda Farrell as Torchy, Barton MacLane as Steve, Tom Kennedy as the nitwitted, poetry-spouting sergeant, plus the welcome addition of a handsome, uncredited German Shepherd. They're on the trail of counterfeiters, and the unnamed dog dog seems to be the smartest of the investigators ..... Miss Farrell's talents seem to consist of talking fast and inserting herself into unlikely situations.

It's directed by William Beaudine, who directed one more of the series for Warners, and then went into free fall. He had survived the transition to sound pretty well, and a trip to Britain, where he directed some pretty good comedies, including some Will Hay features, but his return to Tinseltown seemed to leave him forgotten. He seems to have gotten these assignments for Auld Lang Syne, then it was downward into Gower Gulch, still turning out competent features when given something to work with; but his willingness to go without retakes endeared him the cheapest producers. He kept slogging through the middle of the 1960s, working for whoever would hire him, but his glory days, alas, were behind him.

Starring the usual cast of Torchy films, Glenda Farrell is Torchy, reporter hot on the trail of criminals on the run. Co-stars Tom Kennedy and Barton MacLane. In this one, Willard Robertson is from the Secret Service, trying to track down a counterfeiter, starting with the local racetrack. Gahagan is again the stumbling, bumbling goof, who doesn't realize he's spilling his guts to all the wrong people. But Torchy is onto him, and is determined to get her man! No real surprises here, but it's all part of the grand adventure if you're a fan of the series.

Directed by William Beaudine, and has a very detailed bio on wikipedia.org ... he had worked with DW Griffith in the EARLY days of silents, including "Birth of a Nation". and apparently fimed about half of the MANY Bowery Boys films. His brother was director Harold Beaudine. Turner Classics shows this about once a year.

After a one film absence (where Glenda Farrell and Barton MacLane were replaced with different actors playing their roles in a previous film), they are back. As a result, the quality of the film is better than this last outing, TORCHY BLANE IN PANAMA.

This Torchy Blane story all revolves around how stupid the police and how audacious criminals can be. The plan that is hatched really is insanely dangerous and makes little sense, though it does make for a decent film--if you don't think very much!! A criminal poses as a federal agent (this will get you a bazillion years in prison if you are caught) and convinces the amazingly gullible police that he needs their help in catching criminals passing forged $100 bills. So the police arrange for the local race track to give this crook a job, where he makes a ton of money for his gang substituting real money with forged! Idiot cops.

Overall, the film is a pretty typical and brainless outing for the series. The only thing of note is that the longer the series went, the less chummy Torchy and her boyfriend, McBride, behaved. In the first film they got engaged. However, here in the 6th, they are dating but that is all and there isn't much romance between them.

The only bright aspect is Gahagan. The longer the series went, the funnier and more endearing he became. His "system" for horse betting is amazing...simply amazing.

One of the best of the Torchy Blane series is one that really puts her in the most danger in Torchy Gets Her Man. That title does not mean that Glenda Farrell and Barton MacLane finally wed. In fact the title is a misnomer in that the object of her story nearly gets Torchy with Geohagan thrown in for good measure.

This is one bold as brass crook, a notorious counterfeiter played by Willard Robertson who impersonates a Secret Service man of all things. He's got a scam to use the racetrack to spread his phony bills and he's using the cops as shields because they think he's part of a sting.

Torchy using the ever gullible Geohagan played by Tom Kennedy catches on, but they're both taken captive by the gang who plans to do them in. How she gets out is for you to see.

Once again Tom Kennedy as lovable, but thick as an adobe brick Sergeant Geohagan steals the film. How he ever passed the civil service for the police is beyond me. And Barton MacLane turns out to be handy to have around.

Torchy Gets Her Man (1938)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

The sixth film in the Warner series has Glena Farrell returning to the role of reporter Torchy Blane. This time out she learns that her fiancé detective (Barton MacLane) is working with a government man as they two to capture a counterfeiter known as $100 Bailey. TORCHY GETS HER MAN is certainly a step up from the previous film, which was just downright flat due in large part to a weak story and the lack of Farrell. Thankfully the studio was able to get her back for this installment and there's no question that the picture is much better for it. As with the previous entries, the stories themselves aren't the greatest things out there but this here is good enough to at least keep you interested in everything that's going on and the cast just makes everything all the more entertaining. Farrell was certainly at ease in the role and I think her comic timing is right on the mark from start to finish and she just gives such a fun performance that you can't help but smile watching her work. MacLane, also back after missing the previous film, is good but there's no question that he's not given too much to do. Tom Kennedy nearly steals the film as the dimwitted driver and wannabe poet. The supporting cast doesn't feature any real stand outs but everyone is nice in their roles. I think the weakest thing about this entry is that director William Beaudine lives up to his reputation of just doing one take. There are some pretty ugly and cheap shots to be seen here and it takes the "B" level quality down a notch. Still, he at least keeps the film moving at a nice pace and fans of the series should be entertained.