Off the Record

Pat O'Brien and Joan Blondell play editor and reporter again, as they did in "Back in Circulation." This time, the emphasis is different.

Blondell plays Jane Morgan, a columnist, who comes across a hot story -- a local mobster has been using young boys as spotters in his billiard establishment.

She tries to pitch the story to her editor Thomas Elliott (O'Brien) and the publisher of the newspaper, but they pay no attention to her. When the story lands in her column, it causes a huge sensation. Her investigative reporting lands on the front page.

As a result of this, the mobster makes a deal with Joe Fallon (Alan Baxter), one of his minions, to take the rap for him and go to prison. Fallon agrees, meaning that his little brother (Bobby Jordan) will have to go to reform school.

Feeling guilty, Jane, who has been pestered by Tom to marry him, wants to adopt the boy. He's resistant but finally relents, and things go very well until the kid drifts toward being influenced by Joe.

This is a short B movie. O'Brien and Blondell made a great team. She's adorable as usual here. Warners often made their character actors into leading men, and O'Brien was no exception. He did this kind of role very well.

Not much else going on since it's so short, but it's pleasant enough.