Torchy Runs for Mayor (1939)

Torchy conducts a one woman campaign against a corrupt mayor and crime boss, and when the reform candidate is murdered, she takes up the banner.

Director:

Ray McCarey

Writers:

Earle Snell (original screenplay), Irving Rubine (from an idea by),

Stars:

Glenda Farrell, Barton MacLane, Tom Kennedy

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Glenda Farrell	...	Torchy Blane
Barton MacLane	...	Steve McBride
Tom Kennedy	...	Gahagan
John Miljan	...	Dr. Dolan
Frank Shannon	...	Captain McTavish
Joe Cunningham	...	Maxie - Editor
George Guhl	...	Desk Sergeant Graves
Joe Downing	...	Spuds O'Brien
Irving Bacon	...	Hubert Ward
John Butler	...	Chuck Ball
Charles Richman	...	Mayor John Saunders
John Harron	...	Dibble

Storyline

Torchy Blane is investigating the political career of mayor Dr. Dolan, who has installed a corrupt leadership. She demands a new election, and after the opposition's candidate is murdered, she decides to run for mayor.

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Plot Keywords:

mayor | torchy blane | murder | election | book | 

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Taglines:

:Marry Me An Be Police Commissioner! Stay Single And Be The Dog Catcher" ( original ad )

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Crime | Mystery | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 May 1939 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Two cast members in studio records/casting call lists did not appear or were not identifiable in the movie. These were (with their character names): Larry Williams (Reporter) and Jack Mower (Duncan).

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Goofs

The doctor signs his name "Dr. T.V. Reynolds" in a telegram, but it is printed as "Dr. J.C. Reynolds" in a newspaper.

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Quotes

Steve McBride: [In a self-deprecating way] A fool there was, and here he is!

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Connections

Followed by Torchy Blane.. Playing with Dynamite (1939)

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Soundtracks

"Rock-a-Bye Baby"
(1886) (uncredited)
Music and Lyrics by Effie I. Canning
In the score when Torchy starts her baby campaign

User Reviews

Glenda Retires Torchy

Glenda Farrell filed her last story and in a sense made her own new in this film. Just the title Torchy Runs For Mayor should tell you all you need to know.

Our showgirl turned reporter is after a crooked city administration this time. The mayor, Charles Richman, is a grafter, but he's just a puppet in the hands of the real political boss of the city, John Miljan. Miljan also happens to be a medical doctor which comes in quite handy in his criminal pursuits.

When the original reform candidate Irving Bacon is murdered and another guy framed, Torchy through a bit of a joke by boyfriend Barton MacLane finds herself the reform candidate.

Glenda Farrell is pretty resourceful in getting her news, including an illegal bug in the mayor's office. But Miljan is one clever guy and she gets in more harm's way here than in any other film in the series.

In fact that gives MacLane more of an opportunity. Usually he's just there both being shown up by her as a detective and also getting the accolades for the crimes that she helps solve. But when Farrell does get in harm's way she has need of MacLane.

There was only one more Torchy Blane film, Jane Wyman was given the role with Allen Jenkins as her detective boyfriend. That team set no box office records and Torchy filed her last story with Jane.

This last one with Farrell and MacLane though is pretty good and downright excellent for a B film out of Warner Brothers.