The Adventures of Jane Arden (1939)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

Terry O. Morse

Writers:

Monte Barrett (comic strip Jane Arden) and
Russell E. Ross (comic strip Jane Arden) ...

Release Date:

18 March 1939 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Romance

Plot:

Reporter Jane Arden goes undercover to try to expose a gang of jewel thieves and smugglers. Her mission...

Plot Keywords:

Undercover | Reporter | Chase | Shootout | Police

Cast

Rosella Towne	...	Jane Arden, aka Maxine Brownlow
William Gargan	...	Edward 'Ed' Towers
James Stephenson	...	Dr. George Vanders
Benny Rubin	...	Marvin Piermont
Dennie Moore	...	Teenie Moore
Peggy Shannon	...	Lola Martin
Edgar Edwards	...	William 'Bill' Clifton
Hobart Cavanaugh	...	Suspect 'Killer'
Pierre Watkin	...	Albert Thayer
Maris Wrixon	...	Martha Blanton (debutante)
John Ridgely	...	Reporter
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Benny Burt	...	Greek (scenes deleted)
Eddie Conrad	...	Italian man (scenes deleted)
Sol Gorss	...	Driver (scenes deleted)
Eddie Graham	...	Reporter (scenes deleted)
Robert Homans	...	Irishman (scenes deleted)
Georges Renavent	...	Frenchman (scenes deleted)
Claude Wisberg	...	Bellboy (scenes deleted)

Runtime:

USA:58 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #4837)

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Watch the astounding Rosella Towne!

I was astonished to find this little movie on TCM which nicely illustrates how one has to be willing to explore film history in order to find some unknown gems. In this case, the jewel of the piece is Rosella Towne, a beautiful actress whose name and background were totally unknown to me after 60 years of being a movie fan and whose presence in this film lifts it far above the ordinary. Only 21 years old when the film was made, Rosella projects an image which is equal to and frequently above the performances of stars who became much more well-known during the same era. The first bit part for Rosella was in 1937 when she was 19 years old. Her career lasted until 1943, a scant 6 years later, and during this brief sojourn, she managed to knock out 34 films. When she is on screen, her presence demands that you watch her actions. The ending when she kisses William Gargan is particularly dramatic. Too bad that Rosella Towne's career did not last longer. She had a lot to offer and it is a shame that we have so few examples of her work to exhibit. During this movie, you will also need to watch for Pierre Watkin who played Perry White in the Superman series and who managed to be involved with 388 movies in a 25-year career.