Dangerous Blondes (1943)

one of my absolute favorites!

A different way of telling a story

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Delightfully witty, deceptive, clever and tricky, this murder mystery comedy farce gets going from the start. Detectives Frank Craven and William Demarest gave their hands full from the beginning with the sudden murder of a well known society matron, family scandal and more murders to follow. With Craven and Demarest close on their trails, the wacky team of Evelyn Keyes and Allyn Joslyn stay one step ahead of them, crushing every theory and breaking down every suspect as they outwit both the guilty and the law. It's pretty much Joslyn's show all the way, his street smarts mixing with his sophistication, although Nick Charles he ain't. Anita Louise, Ann Savage and Lynn Merrick are the other blondes, and there ain't a lady among them. Edmund Lowe, John Hubbard and Michael Duane are the more masculine of the supporting cast, and as it's determined who the guilty party is, you'll be both laughing and glued to your seat. It's one of the more well written B murder mystery comedies, lavishly filmed like an A picture, but giving character actors and second leads the chance to show what they can do in a supporting role.

A classic and pleasantly produced film. The principle character's on screen rapport is spot on and the atmospheric sets of the various scenes throughout the movie will keep you entertained. Even with the comic relief which this film largely generates, the sense of mystery and intrigue is never too far behind. As an added touch of class. seeing Dwight Frye playing one of the hoods was great yet also bitter-sweet. Although uttering a gruff "shut up" to Ms. Keyes, in a very funny and frantic scene, he offers no dialogue, but his facial expressions in the precious rare scenes he's on screen is PRICELESS. Notably, there is an eerie and ironic side note to Frye's tie in to this movie. "Dangerous Blondes" would be his last film. He tragically died of a fatal heart attack shortly after this movie wrapped and get this, the title of the book for which this film was based was called, "If The Shroud Fits,". Also, actor Emmett Vogan who played a medical officer in this film, was a stock player in his and Dwights's early days in theater. He acted along side Frye in Denver and Spokane. Such a sobering distinction for Vogan to appear with the ill-fated Mr. Frye at not only the beginning of Dwight's career in acting, but also his final work as well.

Crime writer Allyn Joslyn (Barry) and his wife Evelyn Keyes (Jane) set out to solve the murder of Mary Forbes (Isabel Fleming) at a photographer's studio. The police are also trying to figure things out led by Frank Craven (Inspector Clinton). It's a comedy detective film that also stars William Demarest (Detective Gatlin), so be warned.Shame it's a comedy. The film's title lends itself to a film-noir storyline. Anyway, whilst there are some funny moments, this is offset by annoying comedy characters that fail to generate any laughs – Demarest being one, and housekeeper Minerva Urecal (Mrs Swanson) being another. The story is slightly complicated and it's all pretty meaningless but Evelyn Keyes stands out and is fun to watch. And the luminous paint is cool.If you see William Demarest on a cast list, it's a dead cert that the film is one to avoid. He's his usual unfunny self here with exaggerated expressions, unrealistic reactions, obvious and badly executed pratfalls and way too much screen time. This film was doomed.

Greatly enjoyed this mystery, comedy classic from 1943 starring Allyn Joslyn,(Barry Craig),"I Wake Up Screaming" and Evelyn Keyes,(Jane Craig),"Gone With the Wind". These two actors team up as a husband and wife detectives who try to solve a murder and seem to go around in complete circles through out the entire picture. This is really a comedy with plenty of 1943 jokes and laughter; there is an elevator operator who takes a year and a day to reach each floor and tells his complete life's history before you even reach the main lobby. Evelyn Keys was very young at the age of 27 and had not too long ago completed her appearance in "Gone With The Wind" 1939, where is gave an outstanding performance. Allyn Joslyn gave a great performance as a hen pecked detective who had a wife follow him every where he decided to go. Nice Classic Film and very entertaining.