In the 1930s, Hollywood made a bazillion murder mystery films--most by tiny studios who cranked them out by the dozen. With "I'll Name the Murderer", you get all the usual clichés but little to distinguish it or make it worth seeking.
The film begins with a smart-talking gossip columnist, Tommy (Ralph Forbes) out on the town. And, considering it's a murder mystery, soon someone ends up dead. Not at all surprisingly, the number one suspect is one of Tommy's friends. But, as is the case with such films, he decides to investigate the crime himself. After all, a gossip columnist is practically a cop, right?! Naturally, the Captain in charge of the case is a total moron who jumps to conclusions (they almost always are) and this isn't where the usual clichés end. At one point, Tommy has cornered a woman who knows more about the murderer's identity. But, she says she'll talk to him later. That's bad old movie code for "I'll be dead soon and so this lead will go no where!". And, in th big climactic scene, Tommy gets the murderer to confess to the killings and the police hop out and grab him.
The bottom line is that this film has zero originality, little energy and is a bit dull. Considering how many such films they made, why not just find one of the better ones instead?!
The film begins with a smart-talking gossip columnist, Tommy (Ralph Forbes) out on the town. And, considering it's a murder mystery, soon someone ends up dead. Not at all surprisingly, the number one suspect is one of Tommy's friends. But, as is the case with such films, he decides to investigate the crime himself. After all, a gossip columnist is practically a cop, right?! Naturally, the Captain in charge of the case is a total moron who jumps to conclusions (they almost always are) and this isn't where the usual clichés end. At one point, Tommy has cornered a woman who knows more about the murderer's identity. But, she says she'll talk to him later. That's bad old movie code for "I'll be dead soon and so this lead will go no where!". And, in th big climactic scene, Tommy gets the murderer to confess to the killings and the police hop out and grab him.
The bottom line is that this film has zero originality, little energy and is a bit dull. Considering how many such films they made, why not just find one of the better ones instead?!