Destination Murder (1950)

Director:

Edward L. Cahn

Writer:

Don Martin (original screenplay)

Release Date:

9 June 1950 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Crime | Drama | Film-Noir | Romance

Plot:

Laura Mansfield's father is killed, apparently by a telegraphic messenger. She spots Jackie Wales in a police lineup...

Plot Keywords:

Killer | Nightclub | Gang Leader | Henchman | Gangster

Cast

Joyce Mackenzie	...	Laura Mansfield (as Joyce MacKenzie)
Stanley Clements	...	Jackie Wales
Hurd Hatfield	...	Stretch Norton
Albert Dekker	...	Armitage
Myrna Dell	...	Alice Wentworth
James Flavin	...	Police Lt. Brewster
John Dehner	...	Frank Niles
Richard Emory	...	Police Sgt. Mulcahy
Norma Vance	...	Fran, Inebriated Lady
Suzette Harbin	...	Harriett, Nightclub Maid
Buddy Swan	...	Arthur - Blue Streak Messenger
Bert Wenland	...	Dave, Blue Streak Messenger
Franklyn Farnum	...	Arthur Mansfield, Laura's Father
Steve Gibson	...	Leader of Redcap Singing Group
Steve Gibson's Redcaps	...	Singing Group

Runtime:

72 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | USA:Approved (PCA #14387)

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Edward L. Cahn Productions

Trivia:

The movie theatre featured in the film is the Marcal Theatre at 6021 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, California, which featured late runs, revivals, and various odds and ends in keeping with its location on the "wrong" end of Hollywood Boulevard. The revival combination of Flight Lieutenant (1942) and Corregidor (1943) was somebody's idea of a "commemoration" of the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, the first week of December 1949, at which time Destination Murder was filmed.

Goofs:

Plot holes: When Alice at Stretch's apartment she hears a player piano, goes in to the next room looking for it and is murdered by Armitage. However when Stretch is turning over the club to Armitage, Armitage suggests bringing the player piano from the club to Stretch's apartment.

Movie Connections:

Features Corregidor (1943)

Soundtrack:

Let's Go To A Party

Let's Go To A Party

This nifty little programmer from the post-World War II era gives viewers a chance to see several second-lead actors strut their stuff. The weasel-eyed Stanley Clements who made a living playing gunsels and Bowery types gets a chance to play, yes, a playboy hit man. It's a good thing he had money and a sporty-looking car to supplement his looks. Albert Dekker as Armitage does fine in a difficult role, having to play two facets of the same character. Alice Wentworth (Myrna Dell) turns out to be a femme fatale failure in the movie, but not in the acting department--seems the blonde bombshell is just not smart enough to pull off her double dealings. The lead part of Laura Mansfield is portrayed by Joyce Mackenzie, sort of a poor woman's Barbara Hale. Then there's Hurd Hatfield as the sneaky Stretch Norton, a pivotal part that fits his talents perfectly.

The story involves a murder man's daughter tracking down the person responsible for her father's death, since she is led to believe that the police aren't really doing their job. She begins dating the trigger man, hoping he will lead her to the mastermind. The trail leads to a nightclub operated by mobsters. The nefarious Armitage has a nasty habit of torturing and killing his victims to the tune of Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata." He is also adept at using his belt to silence those who disagree with his methods or who attempt to extort money from him. The plot has a major twist toward the middle of the film. It's surprising that other writers and directors haven't expropriated it (politically correct for stealing).

As with most noir-like films of the period, music serves a vital link between story and character development. "Moonlight Sonata" has already been noted. Listen to the words of the songs sung by the popular jump and jive group Steve Gibson and the Redcaps (early doo wop). At times the musical selection can even be ironic. For example, just before Armitage gives Jackie Wales (Clements) the treatment, the Redcaps blast away with, "Let's Go To A Party."