Murder on the Waterfront (1943)
A sailor and his wife become involved in a murder investigation.
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hyped garbage
A Masterpiece!
This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.
It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.
Yes, even at 49 minutes, this leaden Warners programmer feels padded. The Nazis are out to steal some top secret thermostats (how exciting is that?) and it's up to Warren Douglas, John Loder and company to put the kibosh on their nefarious plot. There's an absurd song and dance sequence featuring possibly the worst dance troupe ever seen on film and an outrageous performance by Don Costello as 'The Great Rajah', a seedy huckster trying to pass himself off as a Hindu mystic. Filmed on what appears to be three sets on the backlot, this is unsatisfying fare that is barely--VERY barely--a few steps above a Monogram or PRC production, and much less fun. Where's Bela Lugosi when you need him?
Fans of the old "B" "C" and even "D" movies (yes, they made them back then) will enjoy this movie. It was like the television of its day: under an hour and a learning experience for cast and crew. It's fun to see people who later became very well known in early screen roles. This is important history, and of a type that will never be seen again.