Crime by Night (1944) User Reviews

Sam Campbell, P.I.

[jotix100 · 7/10 · 23 July 2005]

"Crime by Night" is based on a book by Daniel Mainwaring, who went to write some of the best screen plays of the genre. This 1944 B movie was directed with great style by William Clemens. The film has good moments, but best of all is the presence of Jerome Cowan in the main role of the private investigator, Sam Campbell.

Sam is called to help a man accused of killing his father-in-law, a crime he didn't commit. Sam arrives accompanied by his assistant, Robbie Vance, who he calls "Candy Lamb". The story takes us to meet the corrupt sheriff Max Anders who is running for reelection. We also meet the cunning Ann Marlowe, a shady woman who has an interest in all we are seeing. Sam Campbell solves the mystery with assurance.

For being a B movie, "Crime by Night" gathered an interesting cast. Best of all, Jerome Cowan, who played in a lot of films of the genre, most notably in "The Maltese Falcon". Mr. Cowan didn't make it big in the movies, but in this one, he is quite enjoyable as the sleazy man who knows where to go to unmask the truth. Jane Wyman is hardly seen, although she is quite effective in her small part. Faye Emerson plays Ann Marlowe with style and conviction. Cy Kendall is the crooked sheriff Max Anders. Eleanor Parker and Charles Wilson are also seen in smaller parts.

Another comment to this forum says it all in the praise to TCM for keeping these forgotten movies alive by presenting them from time to time to new audiences.

A Very Good Detective Yarn

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 22 July 2005]

Private Eye Sam Campbell is hired by the estranged husband of a woman whose father he's accused of killing. With a few good plot twists, he uncovers the real murderer and the reason behind that and two other subsequent killings.

Don't pass up an opportunity to see character actor Jerome Cowan for once in the lead. His most noted role in film was also a detective as Sam Spade's luckless partner Miles Archer in the Maltese Falcon. In that film he was a lady's man whose hormones got him killed. Here he's quite the ladies man as well, but his mind as it turns out is on business first.

Cowan's main squeeze in this film is Jane Wyman. She played a lot of molls before she got real roles of substance later in the decade, culminating with that Oscar for Johnny Belinda. It's interesting to see her in these roles sometimes though.

Of the supporting cast the biggest kudos go to Cy Kendall who was the hapless sheriff. It's a running truism in Hollywood that in these detective stories, the police always get shown up by the private eye. Sometimes the cops are smart, but the private eye is smarter and sometimes they're downright dumb. It's the latter here.

This film is an enjoyable product from Warner's B film unit.

Starring role for Jerome Cowan

[blanche-2 · 7/10 · 9 January 2008]

"Crime by Night" is a lively 1944 film starring Jerome Cowan, Jane Wyman and Faye Emerson. Cowan plays a private eye trying to help a man wrongly accused of murder. It ends up being a lot more complicated than originally thought. Jane Wyman is his attractive secretary, and Emerson plays a talent representative. Eleanor Parker has a small role as the daughter of the murder victim.

This is an enjoyable B movie that moves fast; Cowan is slick and Wyman looks great and gives a vivacious performance. Cowan was rarely given an opportunity at leads. He makes the most of this one. A good B movie made during World War II.

Jerome Cowan & Jane Wyman Team Up In B-Detective Movie

[CitizenCaine · 6/10 · 31 May 2004]

For a fifteen year period between the late 1930's and the early 1950's, Jerome Cowan played supporting roles to a number of big name stars in a variety of movies. Here he gets a chance to be the lead in this snappy little B picture, playing a detective on vacation. He was notable for playing wisecracking sidekicks, and in Crime By Night he plays a wisecracking detective. His sidekick is Jane Wyman who is actually listed as the lead here, but she plays second fiddle as Cowan's "candy lamb." Faye Emerson is on hand in a supporting role, and Eleanor Parker has a small role in one of her early films. The pace is fast with snappy dialog written by Daniel Mainwaring, who a few years later became famous for the quintessential film noir: Out Of The Past, which was based on his novel Build My Gallows High. **1/2 of 4 stars.

One Reason I Love TCM

[ultfan67 · 16 September 2004]

Crime By Night is a film that I discovered on TCM a couple of years ago. Although Jane Wyman receives top billing, Jerome Cowan (the ill fated Miles Archer from The Maltese Falcon) carries the film. As another poster commented, the film has some great dialogue. In addition to his interplay with Jane Wyman's character (Robbie, aka Candy Lamb), I really enjoyed Cowan's (private eye Sam Campbell) scenes with Cy Kendall. Kendall plays the sheriff, who's a bit on the shady side. I especially like the scene when the sheriff leaves Sam alone in the sheriff's office to ostensibly get a drinking glass and what happens immediately after that. Also funny was Sam's revenge later in the film towards the sheriff regarding the drinking glass incident. All in all, an excellent B film...check it out if you can.

Better than many A-film crime-solving whodunits

[krdement · 7/10 · 4 January 2008]

High quality production and cast for this B-grade movie make for a very entertaining film. Jerome Cowan is really the star. Accustomed to his portrayals of cads and white collar criminals, I really enjoyed seeing him in the lead and on the right side of the law. That doesn't mean his hat is snow white. He plays a similar character to his brief role as Sam Spade's doomed partner, Miles Archer, in The Maltese Falcon. He is full of testosterone, self-confidence and an almost smarmy charm.

Jane Wyman in her early roles is pretty and feisty, as in this movie. It is also interesting to see a very young Eleanor Parker on her way up the ladder.

The dialog is crisp and full of 30's detective story expressions. It is delivered well by all cast members and moves the film along at a nice clip. The plot never drags. Sit back and enjoy this low budget gem.

Crime by night

[coltras35 · 6/10 · 24 September 2022]

Larry Borden's career as a concert pianist ended when a dispute with wealthy father-in-law Harvey Carr ended up with his hand chopped by an ax. Carr is found dead from a blow by an ax, and Larry is sure to be the prime suspect. He hires New York detective Sam Campbell and his secretary-partner Robbie Vance. Harvey's daughter and Larry's ex-wife, Irene, also turn up, along with another dead body, the estate's handyman.

Irene is now engaged to Paul Goff, a singer, who has an agent, Ann Marlow. A theory develops that Carr's death involved a wartime spy ring and a chemical plant he owned, and Goff is implicated. Goff is the next murder victim, though. Sam and Robbie eventually deduce that Ann is the actual spy. They solve the case and save Larry, freeing them to return to New York.

Fast-paced mystery that is fairly entertaining and features an interesting protagonist in Jerome Cowan, a quick-talking and sleazy detective. Jane Wyman plays his assistant. The mystery can be complicated, and you have to really pay attention to the conversations.

interesting pairing

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 5 September 2021]

Larry Borden hires private investigator Sam Campbell (Jerome Cowan) and his secretary Robbie Vance (Jane Wyman). He's been in a conflict with his father-in-law Harvey Carr over his family. He is accused of murdering Harvey but he insists on his innocence.

I don't know anything about the novel. I don't know if there is anything else done with Sam Campbell. Wyman is a fun actress and this could have a fine detective duo franchise. I like her snarky comments. They could use more of their banter. Wyman should have more screen time. The movie works best with the two of them together.

Pretty much what you'd expect from a wartime B-mystery

[planktonrules · 5/10 · 14 April 2016]

A divorced man is nearly killed after he discovers the body of his ex- father-in-law. So, he seeks help from a know-it-all detective, Sam Campbell (Jerome Cowan) and he naturally discovers that there is a heck of a lot more to the story than meets the eye.

"Crime By Night" is an enjoyable B-movie, but it's also one that most film buffs could predict. After all, when the detective has a girl sidekick (Jane Wyman), you KNOW she'll be snappy-talking and a bit daffy. When it's set during the WWII era, the solution to the crime will involve Nazis. And, the private detective will be a heck of a lot smarter than the cops. It's all formula...and offers no surprises but is pleasant viewing if you don't mind this.

Murder in the boathouse

[sol1218 · 6/10 · 7 September 2010]

***SPOILERS*** Confusing murder mystery involving a one handed pianist Larry Bordon who claims he's been framed in his father-in-law's murder. Larry himself was almost shot and killed as soon as the movie opened by an unknown assailant while Larry was on his rowboat. Fearful for his life Larry got in touch with famed New York private eye Sam Campbell to not only save his neck from the person or persons who are trying to murder him but from his being arrested and tried for the murder of his father-in-law Harvey Carr whom he found axed to death in his rowboat. In fact t was Mr.Carr who chopped off Larry's left hand in a fit over his strained relationship with his daughter, and Larry's wife, Irene.

The movie gets even more complicated that it already is when the boathouse caretaker is found by Campbell brutally axed, but still alive, by the very same person who murdered Mr.Carr. The fact that the caretaker is still alive is very good news for Larry in if he's telling the truth the caretaker can prove that Larry's innocent by not identifying him as his attacker. That all later turns sour for Larry with the caretaker not coming out of his coma and dying. That leaves Larry on the hook in not only killing Mr.Carr but the caretaker as well. As Campbell begins to follow the trail of evidence in both Mr.Carr and the caretakers murder it becomes evident to him that the double murders were really an effort to cover up a far more sinister crime.

***SPOILERS*** All that leads to both Ann Marlow and her boyfriend singer Paul Goff who are staying at a hotel not far from the crime scene who seemed to have had some kind of special dealings with the late and murdered Mr. Carr. And it was Mr.Carr's suspicions of them that in fact may well have lead to his murder. Or better yet could it have been Mr.Carr's former son-in-law Larry Bordon who had it in for Mr.Carr ever since he destroyed his career as a concert pianist! It was Campbell and his secretary Robbie "Candy-Lamb" Vance who by setting up a trap at the local horse stable who got Mr.Carr's killer to trip himself up. In him thinking that the stable owner Dad Martin, whom one of his horses was used by the killer to make his escape, had spotted him and then tried to murder Martin as well! As for the real reason behind Mr.Carr's murder it had to do with what was going on the other side of the world, Europe, at the time, 1944, and the super secret formula that Mr.Carr was working on that those who murdered him were after.

....Candy Lamb....

[AAdaSC · 4/10 · 24 March 2010]

Sam (Jerome Cowan) and Robbie (Jane Wyman) are called upon to solve a murder. We meet a cast of characters................and Sam solves it.

It's a bland detective murder mystery with some guy that looks like William Powell in the lead role. It's complicated and although Cowan and Wyman are likable, there is never any tension or drama in the story. The best part of the film comes when Jane Wyman and Faye Emerson (who plays Ann) come face to face. This happens at the end of the film and it's the only memorably entertaining part of the film. Cowan calls Wyman "Candy Lamb" throughout the film, and whilst this is funny at the beginning, it becomes irritating as he endlessly repeats it. This is a story that is immediately forgettable like many others and it's only worth it for Jane Wyman's performance.....and she's hardly in it!

"A nice place for a nervous breakdown."

[clanciai · 8/10 · 12 October 2021]

This thriller is fast and it takes some sharpened attention to hang on in the conversations and plottings but at least the murders can't be misunderstood, and they all make sense, regrettably. The most interesting character is the one who has the least to say and is seen the least, the ex-pianist with a busted hand, axed by his father-in-law, later murdered by anyone but him. Jane Wyman seconds Jerome Cohen as his secretary, but her role also becomes rather secondary, as he has to do all the tough job. There are plenty of scuffles and fights and gunshots and attempted murders, but at least a few are successful leaving the murderer to almost get way with it. The hanged man is a tragedy, he also had a motive for one of the murders but never attempted to marry the girl he was courting for the sake of greed, for which he had his own. It's in fact a superb thriller with great music, while its only problem is its bolting speed getting faster all the way to the end.

It's a wonder Jane Wyman ever became a star at Warner Bros...

[Doylenf · 5/10 · 4 January 2008]

CRIME BY NIGHT is a neat little programmer that gives JEROME COWAN one of his few leading roles in films. He was usually the man who supported the big Warner stars in films ranging from MR. SKEFFINGTON to THE MALTESE FALCON, always a reliable character actor.

For an up-and-coming contract star, JANE WYMAN was given little to do in this caper, making me wonder how she ever reached full fledged stardom at the studio that insisted on wasting her talent in fluffy, very inconsequential roles in films like this and FLIGHT ANGELS, always the brassy wise-cracking dame before she tackled more serious roles. Another actress with a future at the studio is also on hand in a small part, ELEANOR PARKER, but it's FAYE EMERSON who has the most interesting role and she makes the most of it.

The story is a dull contrivance about a vacationing detective (Cowan) who helps clear an innocent man of murder. He and Wyman join forces to solve the crime which turns out to be embedded in some sort of spy plot that is never hinted at until the final scene.

Summing up: A weak programmer that wastes the Warner contract players.

Jane, where did you go?

[Sycotron · 10 November 2002]

Jane Wyman is given top billing on screen but she sits out most of the movie off screen. It's left up to her co-star Jerome Cowan to carry the load. He has a certain oily/sleazy charm but I wouldn't like to have my life or freedom depend on his detective abilities. It was amusing to observe the way he did anything he felt appropriate to help his client. No matter the legality of it. Hiding witnesses, disturbing evidence at a crime scene, and even downright stealing evidence right from the Sheriff's office.

This movie must be noted for having one of the bloodiest crime scenes in a pre-1960's film. It's a wonder the censors passed it.

Too much plot creates a 72 minute crime of time.

[mark.waltz · 4/10 · 27 June 2016]

Yes, some B movies can be complex and work on every level, and for this supposedly light hearted comic mystery/thriller, enough is more than plenty. Amusing character actor Jerome Cowan gets his chance for a lead, playing a detective handling more cases than Sam Spade could hope to handle. With rising star Jane Wyman as his amusing girl Friday, he's got a lot to handle, even though Miss Wyman gets top billing. What he's lacking is structure, and the problem there lies in the convoluted script and plot that would darken a film noir to a blackout.

If Wyman isn't lovely enough in the female lead, there are also Faye Emerson and Eleanor Parker in supporting roles, both leads in B's for several years up to this point, and wasted in femme fatale roles. The plot moves all over the place in a 72 minute span, and if you nap for one second, you could find yourself missing an important detail.

Just a year away from her star making role in "The Lost Weekend", Wyman was very busy at Warners in 1944, comically becoming Gracie Allen in "The Doughgirls", singing and dancing with Jack Carson in "Hollywood Canteen" and sparring comically with him in "Make Your Own Bed" (as well as "The Doughgirls"). Between that and being married to Ronald Reagan and volunteering for war services, she had quite a busy year, which I pray wasn't as convoluted as this plot that has plenty of funny lines and even a few suspenseful moments, but often goes off on secret missions of its own that don't have an easy way back to the general story.

Very Weak B Mystery Wasting a Good Cast and Viewer's Time

[HarlowMGM · 3/10 · 5 April 2012]

I'm surprised by the fairly good reviews this B mystery has received by several IMDb reviewers, having found the movie thoroughly implausible. Character actor Jerome Cowan has a rare starring role as a ladies man detective (despite being well into middle-age and not particularly handsome) who is trying to prove that a maimed retired concert pianist did not kill his belligerent ex-father-in-law. Jane Wyman receives top billing as Cowan's gal Friday and while she starts out the movie in what appears to be a starring role, disappears for much of the middle of it. She is much missed as Cowan and company struggle to hold one's interest in this rather dull and improbable tale.

Not surprised to learn this one sat on the shelf at Warner Bros. for over a year. There's a horribly edited scene of Cowan and Faye Emerson speaking seated in a car with two very rough jumps that is as bad a continuity as any I've seen in a major studio's film from the period.

One has to give supporting actor Fred Kelsey (as Dad Martin) props though for not breaking character as a persistent fly keeps flying around and landing on his arm during one conversation scene with Cowan (why Kelsey has to ignore the fly to keep in character is explained at the denouement.) This movie is only 72 minutes long but it really drags. Jane Wyman is as perky and delightful as she always is in these early "sassy girl" roles but this time her hard work can't make this one ultimately a success.

Routine Detective Story.

[rmax304823 · 5/10 · 4 June 2013]

Jerome Cowan is a private eye hired to solve a murder. There are several other murders along the way, although the only sentiment they generate among their acquaintances is disappointment, not grief. How dare he die after being attacked with an ax -- before he told us who did it? Jerome Cowan, familiar from "The Maltese Falcon" a few years earlier, has the lead this time, probably partly because of his appearance in that film. But Cowan is no Humphrey Bogart. On the other hand, the writers were no Dashiel Hammets, and the director was no John Huston. The result is a complicated, fast-paced mystery yarn with no grace notes, an extended B feature.

Some of the supporting cast is good. Cy Kendall as Sheriff Amblers, determined to win re-election, is a portrait of good-natured deceit. The women have key parts but little screen time. Jane Wyman is cute. The young Eleanor Powell radiates innocence and sex appeal.

But it's all pretty formulaic and if you miss it, you're not missing much.

Good B Mystery

[GManfred · 7 February 2017]

Sounds like a serious film noir, judging from the title. Wet,dark alleys, trench coats, world-weary private eye, etc. But it's not - "Crime By Night" is a breezy, light-hearted crime story that could have been a series. No telling where Warner Bros. was going with this entertaining B picture, but it could have been better than the main feature it played with.

Jerome Cowan is the star as the genial, unflappable private eye and Jane Wyman is his 'girl Friday', even though she has top billing. Can't remember Jerome Cowan as the leading man before. He spent most of his career as a supporting actor, but goes all out here as he solves a murder mystery - and it's a genuine whodunit, which is the yardstick by which all mysteries are measured. If you haven't seen it and you're a mystery movie fan, give it a shot. It's only 75 minutes of your time.

Standard "B" picture shenanigans as NYC detective solves a murder

[Turfseer · 4/10 · 11 October 2021]

Jerome Cowan was usually a supporting character actor who ended up playing the lead role here in Crime by Night as NYC detective Sam Campbell. The plot has him paired with a secretary, Robbie Vance (Jane Wyman) and when the two appear together throughout the film, they represent the comic relief. Cowan was somewhat amusing as the detective investigating a murder but when he's called upon to show his romantic prowess kissing the femme fatale Ann Marlow (Faye Emerson), all bets are off (in other words, his big smooch with Emerson is simply embarrassing!).

Campbell is hired by Larry Borden (Stuart Crawford), an ex-concert pianist who got his hand chopped off by his father-in-law Harvey Carr but refused to press charges, enabling him to maintain custody of his son. Now a suspect in Carr's murder, Borden not only fears that he'll be convicted on circumstantial evidence but lose custody of his son to his ex-wife Irene (Eleanor Parker).

There are a number of red herrings here including a handyman turning up dead. Campbell interacts mainly with Sheriff Ambers (Cy Kendall) who unsuccessfully attempts to remain one step ahead of Campbell in the investigation. Eventually Red Herring #2, singer Paul Goff (Charles Lang) enters the mix along with his agent Marlow and when Goff turns up hanged in the jail cell (where Borden is also incarcerated), it doesn't take long before Campbell concludes the culprit is Marlow who turns out to be a wartime spy stealing secrets from a chemical plant formerly owned by Carr.

It's a pretty standard "B" picture featuring "okay" performances except for Wyman who's saddled with a way too goofy part. Emerson shines as the sinister spy and Cowan moves the proceedings along nicely except for the aforementioned unfortunate romantic detour with Emerson.

Routine Mystery

[Michael_Elliott · 9 June 2013]

Crime by Night (1944)

** (out of 4)

"B" picture from Warner has private detective Sam Campbell (Jerome Cowan) being hired by a man whose ex father-in-law has been brutally murdered and he's the main suspect. The man claims he's innocent so the detective and his girlfriend/helper (Jane Wyman) convinces him to turn himself in so that they can search for the real killer. As far as detective movies go, this one here is pretty routine from start to finish and unlike some I was able to pick up on the big twist that happens at the end. I'm going to guess that if you don't see the twist coming then you might stay more caught up in everything that's going on but if you do catch hold then everything that follows is pretty much by-the-numbers. There are a few good moments scattered throughout but certainly not enough to recommend the film. It is great getting to see character actor Cowan playing the lead and I think he does a very good job in the part. He's got a certain laid-back coolness about him that really helps the character. Wyman is also pretty good in her supporting role but she's pretty much wasted. Both Eleanor Parker and Charles Lang are good in their supporting roles but it's character actor Cy Kendall who steals the film as the local Sheriff. The story itself really isn't all that entertaining as there are just way too many clichés and all of them are pretty bland. The only exception might be the first sight of the murdered man and the amount of blood that he has on him. Usually when you see dead bodies from this era it's no different than seeing a live one but I was surprised to see that they covered the victim with blood. CRIME BY NIGHT doesn't have much going for it besides the performances so this one here is certainly just for those who must see every mystery film made.