Moviecut—Super-Sleuth

source: Super-Sleuth

Super-Sleuth

Super-Sleuth stars Jack Oakie as a detective-playing actor who taunts the police for failing to catch a criminal that then targets him. This isn't a mystery - we know who the killer is early on. The only real mystery of the movie is the killer's motive, but don't expect an answer to that. Oakie is an amusing guy who plays his idiocy well, breezing down the street with - to quote a t-shirt - all the confidence of a mediocre white man. Edgar Kennedy does his usual schtick well, and Ann Sothern is likable even though she and Oakie have absolutely no degree of chemistry. The worst thing in the movie is a black servant who is a particularly egregious example of the way Hollywood turned African Americans into idiot children. It is painful to watch. I wouldn't go so far as to recommend this film, but Oakie does make it watchable.

Jack Oakie stars as movie star Willard Martin and Ann Sothern plays girlfriend Mary Strand, who happens to be Willard's PR rep. Willard is played like a cartoon character, and the film is humorous and hokey, light-weight comedic fare. The basic conceit is that Willard, who plays a formidable crime solver in the movies, confuses his role with reality. He gets into a war of words with local police authorities over a recent crime, thinking he can do everything better than they. Meanwhile, a strange little man starts sending death threats to Willard. Mary works overtime to save Willard from his oversized ego, trying to simultaneously keep her job and keep him safe. The two stars are a joy to watch. When Oakie mugs for the camera, it fits the cartoonish theme of the film. And it feels like a parody of other film heroes, especially those who appear in the episodic cliffhangers of the day.

Somebody's out to kill Jack Oakie, a movie detective who seems intent on breaking into real life detective work. Other than the obvious critics who criticize his hamming, there's Ann Sothern, a studio employee who reluctantly ends up in most of his schemes, the cowardly Willie Best (cast again in a racial stereotype) and the sinister looking Eduardo Ciannelli, a spooky professor. There's really little amusement in this, that is until the ending confrontation in a haunted house where trapped doors and secret entrances keep the characters disappearing and reappearing. Edgar Kennedy adds another slow-burning detective with little sense and lots of temper to his credits. The finale may have you in stitches, but there's little else to laugh at in this weak programmer.

Jack Oakie is a movie star, best known for a series of detective movies. He's so good in the role that he believes his own publicity and starts a feud with the police department. Then comes the anonymous threatening letter.... Oakie is his usual not-too-bright blowhard, and this RKO programmer shows him at his best, even though his leading-man status wouldn't last much longer; he would have a nice career as best man's buddy in all those brightly lit Fox musicals. With Anne Sothern, Eduardo Cianelli, Edgar Kennedy, and Willie Best, there are some good laughs in this one.

In Hollywood, Bill Martin (Jack Oakie) plays a detective on film. He gets into a feud with the real police. Studio publicist Mary Strand (Ann Sothern) isn't happy with him either although she does really like him. He starts getting creepy fan letters from "The Poison Pen". With a killer targeting him, he and Mary go to amateur sleuth Professor Herman (Eduardo Ciannelli) for help. Bill Martin is somewhat a self-obsessed boob. I don't hate him but I don't love him either. With a bit of well placed charms, he could be a passable romantic lead. Oakie needs some work. Sothern is doing all the work in the relationship. The hair piece is the funniest gag but it's the Lieutenant. There is still some fun to be had.

Before Jack Carson came along, the biggest blowhard on screen was Jack Oakie. Super Sleuth was a perfect Jack Oakie vehicle. In it he plays a blowhard actor who is a detective in films and of course he solves the crime. Somewhere in that walnut size brain of his, Oakie has gotten the idea he's the real deal. Studio secretary Ann Sothern tries to keep him somewhat ground in reality but to no avail. He insists that he will solve a string of murders to someone who writes nasty notes to his targets. And of course show up the police who are represented by Edgar Kennedy at his slow burning best. No mystery here as it is real obvious who is doing the deeds. But there are some funny moments in Super Sleuth. Definitely one typical Jack Oakie film.

I usually find movies of this era poorly written, over-acted, and the comedies not funny. This one is funny thanks to Jack Oakie. Ann Southern and the other actors did over-act, see.