The Crime Patrol (1936)

Director:

Eugene Cummings

Writers:

Betty Burbridge (continuity)
Betty Burbridge (dialogue)

Release Date:

13 May 1936 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Romance

Plot:

Prizefighter Bob Neal (Ray Walker) is in debt to gangster Vic Santell (Hooper Atchley) for training expenses...

Plot Keywords:

Shoot Out | Underworld | Fur | Prizefighter | Gang

Cast

Ray Walker	...	Bob Neal
Geneva Mitchell	...	Nurse Mary Prentiss
Herbert Corthell	...	Police Commissioner Joe Collins
Hooper Atchley	...	Dr. Simmons
Wilbur Mack	...	Vic Santell
Russ Clark	...	Officer Davis
Max Wagner	...	Henchman Bennie
Virginia True Boardman	...	Mrs. Kate Neal
Hal Taliaferro	...	Henchman Driving Getaway Car (as Wally Wales)
'Snub' Pollard	...	Gyp Hoyle
Henry Roquemore	...	Fight Promoter
Robert McKenzie	...	Mr. Stevens, store owner

Runtime:

59 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Approved

Company:

Mayfair Pictures Corporation

This film wasn't even good enough to consider it a B-movie!

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

A rather dumb boxer is friendly with some local hoods. This bothers his mother, as she has visions of him becoming a policeman like his father but he's adamantly against joining the force--thinking the police were a bunch of wimps. However when a boxing cop beats him soundly in a fight, he naturally drops everything and joins the force!! Then he needs to come to terms with his friends. Should he be loyalty to these jerks or the police force to which he's taken an oath to serve?

In the 1930s and 40s, many small studios specialized in making what were termed "B-movies"--second and less expensive films from a double feature. These films were generally entertaining and not especially deep--often having shaky plots and second tier actors. However, many of them were still great films and are well worth your time. I actually prefer B-films in many cases to the A ones because they had few pretenses and were just plain fun. Unfortunately, if you didn't know that B-movies were often still good films, then if you saw CRIME PATROL you might incorrectly assume they stink. That's because while it did feature the usual staples of a B, such as "no-name" actors, a short length (59 minutes) and a breezy plot, the film was so cheap and so poorly constructed that it got to be a chore to keep watching. The biggest problem is that the plot is built around a guy who is a professional boxer, yet he fights like someone who has never learned how--wildly flailing his arms and offering no defense whatsoever. I am not a fan of boxing, but it was obvious that this guy would have a hard time beating up my mother let alone another boxer! Plus the film has a lot of silly acting and logical errors. The only positive and redeeming factor is one that most likely won't matter to you, as I was thrilled to see a great old silent comedian (Snub Pollard) playing a straight role as a hoodlum. Surprisingly, Pollard did a pretty good job in his speaking roles--hiding the fact that he was an Aussie. Still, this isn't reason enough to see the film.