Trapped by Boston Blackie (1948)

Blackie is the natural suspect when an expensive pearl necklace is stolen while he is supposed to be guarding it.

Director:

Seymour Friedman

Writers:

Edward Bock (story), Jack Boyle (character),

Stars:

Chester Morris, June Vincent, Richard Lane

Cast

Cast overview:
Chester Morris	...	Horatio 'Boston Blackie' Black
June Vincent	...	Doris Bradley
Richard Lane	...	Insp. William R. Farraday
Patricia Barry	...	Joan Howell (as Patricia White)
Edward Norris	...	Igor Borio
George E. Stone	...	The Runt
Frank Sully	...	Detective Sergeant Matthews
Fay Baker	...	Margie O'Reilly, alias Sandra Doray

Storyline

When Boston Blackie's private detective friend Joe Kenyon is killed in an auto crash under suspicious circumstances, Blackie makes an offer to Mrs. Kenyon to take his place as a guard at a party given by the wealthy Mrs. Carter, who owns one of the world's most expensive pearl necklaces. His friend Runt goes along also. The necklace disappears while Mrs. Carter, accompanied by her dancing instructor Igor Borio, entertains her guests. Inspector Farraday is called in and finds (not to his great surprise as Blackie is always his first suspect) the pearls in Blackie's pocket. Blackie and the Runt make a hasty exit. Searching the apartment of Mrs. Carter's niece Doris Bradley, Blackie finds the pearls again, hidden in the lining of a coat belonging to Doris' friend Joan Howell who had been at the party and is in love with Borio. Investigating Borio, Blackie learns that the dancer's secretary, Sandra Doray, was connected with a jewel robbery in the south. He sets a trap for them, only to ...

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Plot Keywords:

party | pearl necklace | suspect | guard | secretary | 

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Taglines:

Killing Low-Down on High Society! (original ad)

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 May 1948 (USA)

Also Known As:

O Triunfo de Boston Blackie

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

67 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Follows Boston Blackie's Little Pal (1918)

User Reviews

Blackie minces "I'm a bird in a cage, Dancing will release me" - gulp!

Easily the darkest or most serious Blackie film, the penultimate in the series and Stone's last as the Runt. It has comedy as usual mixed in with the detective work, but this was post War and people seemingly didn't want to laugh so much at the movies, if at all. This descent is still ongoing, todays films aren't considered good unless brim full of violence, filth and cynicism - what will tomorrows bring?

A string of pearls is stolen at a society fancy dress party and naturally suspicion falls on Blackie and the Runt both disguised as Indian fakirs. In turn the murky pasts of some of the guests and main characters are uncovered by Blackie as he strives yet again to clear his name. Farraday and Matthews come across lower key than before, but the Inspector's witticisms still past muster. Doesn't the ballet scene remind you of "Hellzapoppin"?! Eventually the jigsaw puzzle starts to take shape and pieces fall into place, but not before Blackie and Runt trot out the old man and woman disguise one more time - like old friends in themselves by now!

A superior entry with a more satisfying climax than I expected, as a fan. On the other hand if you hate the genre but watch this anyway what do you expect?