Meet Boston Blackie (1941)

When a murder occurs on an ocean liner docked in New York, the trail leads to Coney Island and a spy ring.

Director:

Robert Florey

Writers:

Jay Dratler (story), Jack Boyle (based on the character created by)

Stars:

Chester Morris, Rochelle Hudson, Richard Lane

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Chester Morris	...	Boston Blackie
Rochelle Hudson	...	Cecelia Bradley
Richard Lane	...	Inspector Faraday
Charles Wagenheim	...	The Runt
Constance Worth	...	Marilyn Howard
Jack O'Malley	...	Monk
George Magrill	...	Georgie
James Seay	...	Mechanical Man (as Michael Rand)

Storyline

When a murder occurs on an ocean liner docked in New York, the trail leads to Coney Island and a spy ring.

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Plot Keywords:

murder | spy | first of series | coney island brooklyn new york city | evil man | 

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Taglines:

Murder in the Tunnel of Love!

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 February 1941 (USA)

Also Known As:

Rasto nas Trevas

Filming Locations:

Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min (copyright length) (TCM print)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was the first in a series of Boston Blackie films starring Chester Morris and was sufficiently popular to spawn 13 more hour-long pictures.

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Goofs

Blackie uses a round-back chair to lock Cecelia in her wall bed. When the police arrive and free her, they remove a different square-back arm chair.

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Quotes

Horatio 'Boston Blackie' Black: Your freaks are running amok. You oughta feed 'em more often.

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Connections

Followed by Boston Blackie's Rendezvous (1945)

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Soundtracks

"Santa Lucia"
(uncredited)
Traditional Italian folksong
Played as backround music at the amusement park

User Reviews

Chester Morris makes this series worth watching

I actually like some of the later Boston Blackie films better than this one, but it is a good enough opener to the series. Chester Morris usually played a hard-boiled tough guy whether he was portraying an actual criminal or just a remorseless cheating husband as he was in "The Divorcée". As Blackie he shows a good bit of finesse and range - he admits he was a thief, and apparently one that has never really been caught, but now he's going straight. He's tough when he has to be, he's a friend when he can be, a ladie's man when he gets the opportunity, and honest if possible. He is even trusted by Inspector Faraday, his nemesis, to not run away if he promises that.

This opener to the series has a patriotic theme, with Blackie's chivalry on board an ocean liner leading to the infiltration of a nest of spies. Made shortly before the beginning of World War II, a conflict that most people saw coming, movies with patriotism and spies were common up to two years before Pearl Harbor. I didn't find the story or Blackie's romantic lead particularly interesting, but I love watching Chester Morris at work here. Plus the other characters are fun too.

In particular, Charles Wagenheim as "the runt" manages to be Blackie's trusty if not very helpful associate who is reliable comic relief without becoming whiny or annoying. Inspector Farraday is no Keystone Cop, but I would think after the first half dozen times Blackie solves the crime, gift wraps the criminals, and hand delivers them to the precinct door, Farraday might begin to believe Blackie had changed.

Highly recommended as an entertaining vehicle for an underrated actor - Chester Morris.