Special Investigator (1936)

Criminal lawyer Bill Fenwick goes undercover in Nevada to catch gold thieves when the gang kills his brother.

Director:

Louis King

Writers:

Erle Stanley Gardner (story), Louis Stevens (screenplay),

Stars:

Richard Dix, Margaret Callahan, Erik Rhodes

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Richard Dix	...	William 'Bill' Fenwick, aka Richard 'Dick' Galt
Margaret Callahan	...	Virginia Selton
Erik Rhodes	...	Benny Gray
Owen Davis Jr.	...	George Fenwick
Ray Mayer	...	Dutch
Harry Jans	...	Cy Adams
Joe Sawyer	...	Jim 'Jimmy' Plummer (as Joseph Sawyer)
J. Carrol Naish	...	Edward J. 'Eddie' Selton
Sheila Terry	...	Judy Taylor
J.M. Kerrigan	...	Judge Plumgate
Jed Prouty	...	Dr. Vic Reynolds
Russell Hicks	...	Insp. Perkett

Storyline

Bill Fenwick, criminal lawyer, is becoming a mouthpiece for mobsters, when his brother George, a Justice Department investigator, is killed by mob chief Edward Selton. In atonement, Bill leaves his practice and his venal girlfriend and goes undercover in Nevada to investigate a scheme for "laundering" stolen gold bullion. He starts making progress when he pursues attractive Virginia, who's somehow involved with the gang; in fact, unknown to Bill, she's Selton's sister.

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Plot Keywords:

gold | racketeer | nevada | jury | judge | 

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Taglines:

The amazing story of a criminal lawyer who turned on the crime world.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 May 1936 (USA)

Also Known As:

Fugitive Gold

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

61 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

User Reviews

Effective little crime yarn

It seems that this RKO feature is very like a Paramount one from this time, crime films - gangster ones, I mean - with the likes of J Carrol Naish, Anthony Quinn, Akim Tamiroff, Lloyd Nolan. I did not know RKO pictures made crime films like that. A discovery for me. But a pretty good one.

No boredom at all in the viewing of this film. Of course, we have already seen this topic a hundred times. The good guy - Dix - trying to infiltrate a gang lead by a dangerous fellow - J Caroll Naish - and who falls in love of his sister - the gangster, I mean - no surprise. And predictable results.

But it's worth seeing it.

And Joe Sawyer in the "heavy" character is also juicy.

Try it if you can.