Dick Tracy investigates the theft of a fortune of fur coats, a possible insurance swindle and several murders, all linked to a huge thug who wears a hook in place of his right hand.
"Bodyguard" star Richard Madden gives us the rundown of his record shattering new show.
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Title: Dick Tracy's Dilemma (1947)
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Edit
Cast
| Complete credited cast: | |||
| Ralph Byrd | ... | Dick Tracy | |
 |
Lyle Latell | ... | Pat Patton |
| Kay Christopher | ... | Tess Trueheart | |
| Jack Lambert | ... | Steve 'The Claw' Michel | |
| Ian Keith | ... | Vitamin Flintheart | |
| Bernadene Hayes | ... | Longshot Lillie the Fence | |
|
|
Jimmy Conlin | ... | Sightless |
| William B. Davidson | ... | Peter Premium | |
|
|
Tony Barrett | ... | Sam |
| Tom Keene | ... | Fred (as Richard Powers) | |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
See All (10) »
Storyline
Dick Tracy investigates the theft of a fortune of fur coats, a possible insurance swindle and several murders, all linked to a huge thug who wears a hook in place of his right hand.
Plot Keywords:
based on comic strip | based on comic | sequel | third part | murder |Taglines:
Famous man-hunter stalked by "The Claw"! See more »Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents »
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See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
20 May 1947 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Dick Tracy vs. the Claw See more »Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound System)Color:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1
Edit
[Dick Tracy breaks another date with Tess to pursue a villain]
Tess Trueheart: [sigh] Sometimes, I wish I had been a super criminal.
Vitamin Flintheart: Why, my dear?
Tess Trueheart: Because then I might get to see something of Mr. Dick Tracy!
See more »
(1943) (uncredited)
Lyrics by Johnny Mercer
Music by Harold Arlen
Played without words on honky tonk piano at the Blinking Skull saloon
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Lyle Latell as Pat Patton is the only actor in the series who reprised his role in all four films. See more »Goofs
As Tracy chases The Claw to a junk yard, the sound of a chain link fence being climbed can be heard as Tracy is climbing a wood fence. See more »Quotes
[last lines][Dick Tracy breaks another date with Tess to pursue a villain]
Tess Trueheart: [sigh] Sometimes, I wish I had been a super criminal.
Vitamin Flintheart: Why, my dear?
Tess Trueheart: Because then I might get to see something of Mr. Dick Tracy!
See more »
Soundtracks
One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)(1943) (uncredited)
Lyrics by Johnny Mercer
Music by Harold Arlen
Played without words on honky tonk piano at the Blinking Skull saloon
See more »
Energetic little programmer in the Tracy series from RKO. Of course, the comic strip appeal came largely from the variety of human grotesques who challenged the square-jawed detective week after week. Here, Tracy battles "The Claw", Jack Lambert in excellent Neanderthal makeup with a claw where his hand ought to be. Something should be said in passing for director John Rawlins who had an obscure career, but still came up with the riveting and offbeat Rogue River (1950) as well as the superior B-Western Fort Defiance (1951). Note the fast-pacing and clever touches in this programmer, such as filming from behind the unplugged fan whose blades run down as Sightless (Jimmy Conlin) expires from The Claw.
There are a number of noir touches in the lighting and suspense, not surprising since the year is 1947. Also, catch the painting behind the bar. It's not in obvious focus, but there it is-- an almost totally nude woman up to something not quite clear. Now a saloon centerfold may be appropriate for a saloon, but in a kid's picture, it must have been someone's idea of a private joke. Be that as it may, Rawlins was an A-picture talent trapped in a B-movie career.
Byrd is excellent as Tracy. In fact the level of performances is better than expected for such a low budget. Speaking of budgets, note how much of the film appears shot from outside studio buildings with their rows of little windows (probably where the writers labored). Note too, how the final chase moves past a mock-up airplane and through what appears to be a prop storage area. Certainly, the cast didn't have to go on location for this one. All in all, it's a good, fast little 60 minutes of the Tracy series. And, oh yes, I don't know who played Tess Trueheart, but if I were the cop, I'd spend less time gum-shoeing and more time around the house.