There was a period in the late 80s when Bill Collins would introduce B films late at night on Channel Ten – Mr Motos, Charlie Chans, etc. (Some of my most fond movie watching memories are seeing these on a little black and white TV in my bedroom – I’d also see The Untouchables TV show like this and it’s the best way to see it.) Among the films Collins showed were the Michael Shayne series, not as well known as the others, but nonetheless taunt, well-made entertainment.
They gave a star role to Lloyd Nolan, one of those excellent support players (wonderful speaking voice) who were never going to become a star, but were comfortable supporting in “A”s and could easily star B films, or TV series. Shayne is an enjoyable character – he’s tough and honourable but he has a sense of humour, a light touch; he’s often behind the eight ball as to what is going on, but figures it out eventually.
Shayne is assigned to look after the troublesome daughter of an old friend. He winds up accused of murder. Shayne spends most of his time trying not to be arrested by that PI staple, the hostile police (in lighter films like this the copper is idiotic; in the Philip Marlowes they tend to be menacing)
Bright support cast – Marjorie Weaver (very pretty) as the sprightly girl, Elizabeth Patterson as a murder-mystery-obsessed little old lady, and old reliable Douglas Dumbrille as a villain and Walter Abel as a sort of character who is always played by an actor fourth in the cast list in these films. The script has some clever stuff involving a suicide note (is it real or fake) and a gun (is it Shayne’s or not).
It benefits from being a B picture from a major studio – there’s good photography, decent sets and actors, etc. – although the writers can’t come up with a decent reveal apart from a long confession.
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