Movie Cosmos - Alias Boston Blackie

Description:

It is the Christmas Holidays and reformed thief, Boston Blackie goes to Castle Theater to pick up players who will perform for prisoners that are still in prison. He takes a girl with him who has a brother already in prison. She has visited the prison twice in the month, so is not suppose to visit again. However when the group is completed the girl is included as well as Inspector Farrady. One of the clowns in the show is kidnapped and replaced by a con who wants to get even with two ex-partners. Boston Blackie figures out that a con has replaced one of his clowns but is unable to stop him. Blackie's clothes are stolen and a murder is committed. Of course, the Inspector immediately suspects Blackie of being involved. Now it is Blackie's job to find the killer, exonerate himself and help the girl free her brother.

Top Cast >

Chester Morris

As Boston Blackie

Adele Mara

As Eve Sanders

Richard Lane

As Inspector Farraday

George E. Stone

As The Runt

Lloyd Corrigan

As Arthur Manleder

Walter Sande

As Detective Mathews

Larry Parks

As Joe Trilby

George McKay

As Roggi McKay

Cy Kendall

As Jumbo Madigan

Paul Fix

As Steve Caveroni

Ben Taggart

As Warden

Ernie Adams

As Pop - Stage Doorman (uncredited)

Lloyd Bridges

As Bus Driver (uncredited)

Edmund Cobb

As Police Dispatcher Sergeant (uncredited)

Harry Depp

As Mr. Jones - Hotel Desk Clerk (uncredited)

Mike Donovan

As Policeman (uncredited)

Lester Dorr

As Henry - Desk Clerk (uncredited)

Bud Geary

As Policeman (uncredited)

Kit Guard

As Taxi Driver (uncredited)

Dave Harper

As Policeman (uncredited)

Al Herman

As Guard (uncredited)

George Hickman

As Elevator Boy (uncredited)

Dick Jensen

As Martin - Driver of Squad Car 29 (uncredited)

William Lally

As Policeman (uncredited)

Eddie Laughton

As Ambulance Driver (uncredited)

James T. Mack

As Bill - Manleder's Valet (uncredited)

Teddy Mangean

As Singing Telegram Boy #1 (uncredited)

Sidney Miller

As Herman - Bellhop (uncredited)

Eileen O'Hearn

As Hotel Maid (uncredited)

Lee Prather

As Guard Counting Guests (uncredited)

Frank Richards

As Mack - Prisoner Next to Joe (uncredited)

Francis Sayles

As Laundry Proprietor (uncredited)

Walter Soderling

As Dr. Crane (uncredited)

Cyril Thornton

As Meggs - Manleder's Chauffeur (uncredited)

Duke York

As Johnson - Policeman in Squad Car 29 (uncredited)

Suzanne Ridgway

As Chorus Girl (uncredited)

Top Crew >

Lew Landers

Director

Paul Yawitz

Screenplay

Philip Tannura

Director of Photography

Wallace MacDonald

Producer

Richard Fantl

Editor

Lionel Banks

Art Direction

Robert Peterson

Assistant Art Director

Morris Stoloff

Music Director

Jack Boyle

Characters

Reviews:

CinemaSerf (6/10)

"Blackie" (Chester Morris) starts off this crime drama - on a bus driven by Lloyd Bridges - by doing a little bit of compering at a prison where the Christmas entertainment revolves around a magic booth! Of course, one of the prisoners escapes and, of course, "Insp. Faraday" (Richard Lane) and his hapless helper "Sgt. Matthews" (Walter Sande) conclude that it's all part of a cunning wheeze by "Blackie" to get "Joe" (Larry Parks) out of jail. What we quickly discover, though, is that our sleuth is completely innocent and that he has doubts about the voracity of the conviction that sent the young man up in the first place. Now, with the help of his pal "Manleder" (Lloyd Corrigan) and the ever reliable "Runt" (George E. Stone) - who has a bit more of a part in the one - he sets off trying to apprehend the real culprit of an heinous murder before "Faraday" messes it all up. Morris is on good form, it's a fairly evenly and quickly paced drama and there's just the merest hint of mystery as we head to the denouement. Not so much humour here, but still at the better end of these "Boston Blackie" mysteries.

2024-01-11