Shadow of Suspicion (1944)

Northrup (Tim Ryan) is theoretically guarding the big fancy Stonehaven necklace that's arriving at the local jewelry store. But it looks like he isn't really who he says he is, so the jewelry company is keeping an eye on him... it's a jewelry heist caper! and Claire (Marjorie Weaver) is the secretary who gets caught up in all the goings on. Lots of verbal gags and close calls to keep it light. and a few surprises in here, just to keep us on our toes. Gotta pay attention ! Some fun stuff in this one. I'm really surprised that its only rated a "6" on imdb so far. I liked it! Similar to another film, but I won't say which one... don't want to give anything away ! Directed by William Beaudine, who had started in the early, early days of silent films. Good stuff. Showing on Epix Channel.

Shadow of Suspicion - 1944 This is a brisk, if sometimes confusing programmer from bottom feeder studio, Monogram. Monogram, along with Producers Releasing Corporation were pretty well the end of the trail for actors on their way down. Drunks, has been actors and never will be types filled the ranks of the studio. Now, having said that, Monogram, did upon occasion turn out a decent film. This one is sort of in the middle, not great, but not a waste of time either. The just over an hour runtime helps.Private investigators Peter Cookson and Tim Ryan are sent to Chicago to keep an eye on some very expensive jewels. The New York head office suspects that something might be amiss at the Chicago end. The two men are undercover. At first the viewer thinks perhaps the pair, are really there to steal the jewels themselves.Cookson, a smart talker with the ladies, is soon mixed up with Marjorie Weaver, the assistant to Chicago store manager, Pierre Watkin. Watkin is the man Cookson and Rice are keeping an eye on. Anyways, Cookson and Rice spot Watkins replace the real jewels with some fakes. It turns out that Watkins is in cahoots with a diamond stealing mob run by his mother Clara Blandick.Cookson and Rice in turn steal the jewels from Watkins. This all leads to a couple of fist fights with the crooks, as well as a few guns being pulled. It takes a timely rescue by the Police to save the day for the heroes.The film would have been better served, if they had played the action straight up as a crime drama. The weak attempts at humour really do not add anything to the plot. It has its moments though, with Cookson showing he had some talent. Noir fans will know him from 1946's, FEAR with Warren Williams and Anne Gwynne.The director was long serving b helmsman, William "One Shot" Beaudine. He earned this moniker by never taking more than one take for a shot. Studios, such as Monogram, loved him as he used less film stock than other directors, thus helping their bottom line. The man worked from 1915 till 1968. Nobody is sure just how many films he directed. It could be anywhere from 350 to over 500.

It's a lively cast with a non-clichéd plot in a B-movie programmer. Just who are the two guys claiming to be investigators sent to safeguard an expensive necklace for a big jewelry firm. Whoever they are, they change names faster than clothes. The two start off as Northrup and Dale, but then switch handles, and that's just for starters. The only thing we know for sure is that Dale-Northrup (Cookson) has an eye for lovely secretary (Weaver), while Northrup-Dale (Ryan) alternates between low-humor and stern seriousness. Confusing—heck yes! So whoever or whatever they are, be sure to bring a scorecard.It's a good energetic cast, doing more than picking up a paycheck. Plus there's the aristocratic Frank (Watkin) in a nicely nuanced turn. But whatever you do, don't ask to see his aged mom (Blandick). She may make you rethink the whole idea of motherhood. Sure, the sets are few and spare, while the camera gets outdoors once, I think. But then this is Monogram, who really produced the 1940's equivalent of what would become TV programming. I'm glad TMC did a little tribute to director William "One Shot" Beaudine, who directed this feature. Sure, he never amounted to more than a studio contractor, grinding out these cheapos year after year in reliable fashion. As a helmsman, he may not have style or budget for embroidery, but give him a decent script and some willing players, and he could turn out an entertaining 60-minutes, as he does here.

Monogram Pictures produced a string of B type films during the 1940s. Some of them, like "Shadow of Suspicion" featured players from the studio which dealt mainly in low budget movies with a limited distribution, unlike the other Hollywood biggies. There were some players who became stars after having had their debuts as unknowns at Monogram. Peter Cockson worked in several features for the studio. He had all the qualities to carry a picture, as he does in this one. "Shadow of Suspicion" involves a two man team sent from New York to investigate a robbery at the company's Chicago branch. James Dale and his partner Everett Northrup have the task to uncover the mystery. James Dale falls for the cute Claire Winter, the secretary of the store, who is asked to transport a package for the devious manager of the jewelry branch.Directed by William Beaudine, the film was a typical Monogram Pictures product. Tim Ryan, who appears as Northrup also collaborated on the screenplay. Peter Cockson is James Dale, the man who solves the case. Marjorie Weaver appears as Claire Winer.