William Powell and Jean Arthur star in this mystery caper/screwball comedy that is very much in the vein of star Powell's 'Thin Man' series.
The interesting, if convoluted, plot involves a jockey who has died mid-race. Bickering husband-and-wife team Powell, a doctor, and Arthur, a mystery writer, do some investigative work to find what killed the jockey, and who is the killer.
Powell and Arthur look good together and play off each other quite well, yet do not quite generate that indescribable electricity that made Powell and Myrna Loy such a great team in the 'Thin Man' series. I am sure that if this combination had been a success, more 'Bradford' movies would have been produced by RKO or perhaps snapped up by another studio. However, this film is a failure, yet a good failure regardless.
The script has some sharp lines, yet ultimately lacks Dashiell Hammett's creative wit and sardonic humor. Powell, ever the consummate performer, holds the film together. Arthur seems a little bit off her best form in this one.
Overall, an entertaining film that is not quite the classic it could have been.
The interesting, if convoluted, plot involves a jockey who has died mid-race. Bickering husband-and-wife team Powell, a doctor, and Arthur, a mystery writer, do some investigative work to find what killed the jockey, and who is the killer.
Powell and Arthur look good together and play off each other quite well, yet do not quite generate that indescribable electricity that made Powell and Myrna Loy such a great team in the 'Thin Man' series. I am sure that if this combination had been a success, more 'Bradford' movies would have been produced by RKO or perhaps snapped up by another studio. However, this film is a failure, yet a good failure regardless.
The script has some sharp lines, yet ultimately lacks Dashiell Hammett's creative wit and sardonic humor. Powell, ever the consummate performer, holds the film together. Arthur seems a little bit off her best form in this one.
Overall, an entertaining film that is not quite the classic it could have been.