International Crime (1938)

Lamont Cranston (Rod La Rocque), amateur criminologist and detective, with a daily radio program, sponsored by the Daily Classic newspaper, has developed a friendly feud that sometimes ... See full summary »

Director:

Charles Lamont

Writers:

Theodore S. Tinsley (story), Jack Natteford (screenplay),

Stars:

Rod La Rocque, Astrid Allwyn, Thomas E. Jackson

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Rod La Rocque	...	Lamont Cranston
Astrid Allwyn	...	Phoebe Lane
Thomas E. Jackson	...	Commissioner Weston (as Thomas Jackson)
Oscar O'Shea	...	Heath
Lew Hearn	...	Moe
Wilhelm von Brincken	...	Flotow (as Wm. von Brincken)
Tenen Holtz	...	Starkhov
William Pawley	...	Honest John (as Wm. Pawley)
Peter Potter	...	Burke (as Wm. Moore)
John St. Polis	...	Roger Morton
Jack Baxley	...	Matthews
Walter Bonn	...	Steffen
Harry C. Bradley	...	Barrows (as Harry Bradley)
Will Stanton	...	Lush

Storyline

Lamont Cranston (Rod La Rocque), amateur criminologist and detective, with a daily radio program, sponsored by the Daily Classic newspaper, has developed a friendly feud that sometimes passes the friendly stage with Police Commissioner Weston (Thomas E. Jackson). He complains to his managing editor, Edward Heath (Oscar O'Shea), over the problems that have developed in his department since Phoebe Lane (Astrid Allwyn) has been hired as his assistant. He is advised to forget it since she is the publisher's niece. During his broadcast about Honest John (William Pawley), a famous safe cracker who has served his time, Phoebe gives him a note that the Metropolitan Theatre is to be robbed at eight o'clock and she is so insistent that he adds it as his closing note. Off the air, he learns she got the information from a man she met in a café who had an honest face. Cranston goes to the theatre where Weston and his men have gathered and, of course, nothing happens but, across town, a safe is ...

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Plot Keywords:

banker | police | robbery | safe | broadcast | 

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Taglines:

EXPOSED! AS TIMELY AS THOUGH IT WAS TAKEN FROM TOMORROW'S HEADLINES! (original poster-all caps)

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Genres:

Adventure | Crime | Mystery

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 April 1938 (USA)

Also Known As:

L'accusatore segreto

Company Credits

Production Co:

M & A Alexander Productions Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

62 min

Sound Mix:

Mono Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Based on #118 of The Shadow magazine (January 1, 1937), titled "Foxhound" and written by Theodore S. Tinsley (under the usual pseudonym of "Maxwell Grant").

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Quotes

Phoebe Lane: This is going to be thrilling, isn't it, Mr. Cranston?
Lamont Cranston: Yes, and dangerous, too. Particularly for you.
Phoebe Lane: For me? Why?
Lamont Cranston: Well, when the crooks start shooting it seems they pick off the girl first.

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Connections

Follows The Shadow Strikes (1937)

User Reviews

Well, at least Rod La Roque was pretty good...

This is an odd little B-movie--one that at least is different. Rod La Roque stars as "the Shadow"--a combination radio celebrity and amateur crime solver. Using his show, he periodically tweaks the noses of the local police--who respond by arresting him on trumped up charges (wow...I guess the Constitution wasn't created until after 1938). And, along for the ride is one of the most common clichés in crime films of the era--the spunky and occasionally annoying reporter (who also happens to be the daughter of the radio station owner). Together, they investigate a crime AND have a good time!

For the most part, this is light and silly B entertainment. It's not terrible but cliché-ridden and only adequately written--at best. But, on the positive side, La Roque was very good in the movie--and it makes you wonder why he had faded to a B-actor after a relatively promising series of films in the 1920s and early 30s.

Adequate.