Midnight Shadow

The production values that were available even to studios like PRC on porverty row amusing were sure not available to this film Midnight Shadow. This is the story of a murder committed in an all black community in Oklahoma and its main asset is a pair of bumbling correspondence school detectives who actually solve the case quite by accident.

Buck Woods and Richard Bates play the would be sleuths and I don't mind saying they reminded me a bit of Abbott&Costello in their film Who Done It. Imagine if this studio had the facilities of Universal Studios that A&C enjoyed.

I can't rate Midnight Shadow higher, but it's still worth a look.

Another film from Sack Amusement Company, a distribution company that dealt with the black movie theatre circuit in the 30s and 40s.

A very forgettable mystery that had to have served as a B Movie, supporting a bigger name movie. The acting is generally of the obviously memorized and recited lines variety. By the time the mystery is solved most of the audience won't care, as the mystery has little suspense, the "comedy" falls flat and the ending is so lackluster.

A few notes on this one though. This kind of trivia is what maakes these movies interesting to me beyond the plots. John Criner, the man who played Prince Alihabad had a similar role as a travelling show Doctor in "The Duke Is Tops', he played Doctor Dorando there and it is a better showcase for his talent. Ruby Dandridge, who played Mrs. Lingley, was the mother of Dorothy Dandridge. This movie has the look of a mystery series, had "Lingley and Lightfoot" made a better movie, there may have been more. But Junior Lingley was little more than a bumbler mincing about, and Lightfoot's acting seemed to be majorly the wide-eyed scared black man role.

These "race" movies had such low budgets that it is amazing they did as much as they did with what they had to work with. There are other better movies out there in the genre, if this is the first movie you see of this type, don't be discouraged, there are more out there of far better quality.

The only thing that keeps this movie watchable is the handsome Edward Brandon who played Buster Barnett. Edward Brandon isn't the star of this movie or anything, his scenes are few but steals every scene he's in and basically steals the movie. Edward was a fine actor, he only appeared in one other film "Harlem on the Prairie" and that seems to be lost. I'm surprised nothing came of Edward Brandon, I've seen a lot of Black actors and a lot of "black cast films" but Edward stands out, I haven't seen many have such a strong screen presence and talent. I wish he could of did more films. Edward plays Buster, a soft, push-around kind of man, who's girl is leaving him for manly Prince, Buster spies on them and then becomes a suspect in the murder of his girlfriend's father. The scene that Edward Brandon steals the movie is when the Detective drills him, Buster breaks down and pleads for his life, you've never seen much great acting and emotion in a black cast film, and you never seen men have as much emotion in Hollywood. Edward becomes a stronger man by the end of the film. Edward Brandon to me is a very fine actor, his emotions, gestures, good timing, becoming his character full fledged, knowing the right mood makes him exceptionally the best. He did more in his few scenes than the stars. I'm surprised no one discovered him or made him more of a bigger star. It's obvious he learned acting from somewhere but Black Cinema was so few and between for black actors especially but I am grateful for what he did do. Would love to know more about this actor. If it wasn't for Hollywood's ignorance and the world's, Edward could of been a big success in Hollywood, he could of been up there with one of the greatest actors and one of the most handsome. Why not? But, if your not homely and uncle tomish you can't succeed in Hollywood in those days. I haven't seen an Hollywood film yet that an actor showed such emotion and moved me, and make my jaw-drop like Edward. Did I mention Edward Brandon was handsome and a melting heart smile? Frances Redd is pretty and graceful. Buck Woods and Richard Bates are good as a comedy team. Jess Lee Brooks is great as always as Detective Ramsey. Ollie Ann Robinson and Clinton Rosemond are good as the parents. George Randol wrote and directed this movie, he was a pioneer in Black Cinema involved with some great movies. I admit there should of been some nightclub scene or music, Black Cinema never goes wrong there. It took me a few times to watch this movie, now that I understand it more I like it. Most Black Cinema movies didn't have a lot to work with but they did good with the little they had. This isn't the best but watchable if you want to see unsung talents.

1st watched 9/15/2001 - 4 out of 10(Dir-George Randol): Mostly badly acted mystery involving the murder of a man in a black community. Besides the antics of a couple of funny detectives this is otherwise a very uninteresting film. It does have some merit because it was a complete black production from an age where blacks were only given small and very predictable characters in the white-owned film world of the day. This film wouldn't have broken the barrier even if it was made by a big budget film maker because of the very simple story. I am glad that this has been put to video just for a historical reason if for nothing else and to give us a different perspective on this culture in these times.

Midnight Shadow (1939)

** (out of 4)

Margaret Wilson (Frances Redd) has a couple men wanting her affections but after her father shows off an oil well to them, he's murdered. Now the two men are suspects so the daughter hires a private detective to figure out who the killer is.

MIDNIGHT SHADOW stands out because of its all black cast but sadly outside of this there's really nothing too special here. This film follows the "old dark house" theme that ran thought hundreds of films from this period but the majority of the horror elements are watered down in favor of the detective story, which is obviously watered down even more by the attempt at laughter. As with many films, this one goes for laughs as the detective and his assistant share insults and comic falls but this doesn't really work.

I was surprised to see how good the majority of the lead performances were. This includes Redd who was quite believable in the role of the daughter. There are some weak performances to be found in smaller parts but nothing too damaging to the film. I also thought the actual mystery was well-done and at least keeps you guessing a little. MIDNIGHT SHADOW is a fair thriller that will mainly appeal to those wanting to see an example of an all black cast.