Who Killed Gail Preston? (1938)

Too many fans seem to be blown away

This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place

Good start, but then it gets ruined

Admirable film.

The magnetic smile that made Rita Hayworth one of my favorite stars is absent here, replaced with an unfeminine scowl and a determination to destroy the lives of many people around her: agents, press managers, band leaders, romantic rivals and financial advisers. Within a period of just 18 minutes, Hayworth turns everybody around her into an enemy, and as she sings a torch song, somebody shoots her dead. Suspects are gathered, one commits suicide, and all sorts of clues pop up to make her murderer take risks, giving a very tense 40 minutes after Hayworth gets bumped off.Seeing Hayworth dominate the first two reels then move on to the investigators, witnesses and suspects makes this a major curiosity. Hayworth sweeps through the first two reels, going directly from one victim to another, making it obvious that one IG them has had enough and will take drastic action.Mostly, this is still pretty standard B mystery programmer, giving detail into the life of a young and successful young lady whose selfishness ended up destroying her. Other than the future Gilda, the cast really isn't all that interesting. Rita had not yet been made over with that sultry look, and being very young, doesn't photograph with much character, although she's obviously still gorgeous. Films like this came out by the dozens each year during the 1930's and '40's, so if somebody other than Hayworth had played the title role, this would not be anymore than a barely acceptable programmer.

Rita plays Gail Preston and gets her name on the first card, which counts as starring in this Columbia murder mystery. She also gets killed quickly enough that her dialogue don't foul up the effort. She's still learning how to read a line interestingly.Not that anyone stands out as particularly good one-hour B movie. It's a mystery and soon enough Don Terry is investigating the matter, with plenty of red herrings thrown across the path. It's competent, but filled with old-fashioned stereotypes, uninspired wisecracking, and cheap interior sets.This wasn't one of Coumbia's occasional A production in this era -- still produced on a budget that MGM might use for a short subject. Studio president Harry Cohn once said "I want one good picture a year, and I won't let an exhibitor have it unless he takes the bread-and-butter product." This was Cohn's bread-and-butter and there isn't much butter on in. Rita Hayworth's career would flourish, but no one else's.... except Cohn's.

A good old fashioned murder then investigation by the police, at times bumbling, with musical and dance numbers thrown in for good measure. It's no secret due to the title that Gail Preston is murdered. She is a big time singer in a night club. She had called the police inspector prior to the show and asked him to talk to her at the club. During her number, shots ring out and she collapses to the floor, murdered before she can meet with the Inspector. Just then the Inspector walks in and like the good old capers, has police officers surround the building and makes all the patrons return to their tables. There are a number of people with motives as the police follow up the clues. Rita Hayworth as a mean spirited singer who calls the shots for the club. She was very good in this early role and only about 20 years old at the time. There are some good dance routines with music making this a bit of a musical in a way - a murder musical? Also there was comedy relief with some of the police as well. Not the greatest movie you ever saw, but not bad either if you remember it was an early crime movie.