A collector friend of mine has a 16mm print of CAMPUS SLEUTH. He timed it at 57 minutes. I saw it perhaps twenty years ago, but can't remember if it had a hayride musical number. Is the timing 57 minutes with or without that number?
6 Reviews
Existing Campus Sleuth print/tapes
brmaz-131 January 2005
Copies of Campus Sleuth survive, and are in collectors' hands in truncated form, as well as the UCLA archives; I've not seen THAT copy. The mystery is whether an uncut copy still exists, containing the hayride musical l number featuring Mildred Jorman--Little Miss Cornshucks, It has been cut out of what existing prints I've seen.
This is the only footage known to exist of this colorful and talented blues/vaudeville performer of the 40s and 50s, and a subject I've been writing about and researching. Should a complete copy be available anywhere, I'm very interested in learning about that. this is not a masterpiece for the ages, but anybody's claim, but it contains a valuable performance that needs to survive-and also to be seen..
This is the only footage known to exist of this colorful and talented blues/vaudeville performer of the 40s and 50s, and a subject I've been writing about and researching. Should a complete copy be available anywhere, I'm very interested in learning about that. this is not a masterpiece for the ages, but anybody's claim, but it contains a valuable performance that needs to survive-and also to be seen..
Could have used a Script Doctor
Kittyman26 February 2010
Warning: Spoilers
This film could have used a script doctor. While the initial big band number (partially reprised at the end) is good, the other songs aren't, and just serve to slow down the otherwise rapid pace.
Pre-Superman Noel Neill is cute, but doesn't do much. And even the usually reliable character actor Donald MacBride falters, coming across as too pigheaded and obtuse for the district attorney job he supposedly holds.
As to the mystery, the murderer is not obvious. However the rationales are very shaky, when it comes to the murder itself, and the explanations about where and when it was performed. And, finally, why the murderer would be tricked into attempting to kill a supposed witness makes no sense at all, since s/he (you'll have to guess which) could have easily fended off any allegations as mistaken because of (as s/he points out) a seemingly iron clad alibi.
PS: My copy doesn't have the missing song number either.
Pre-Superman Noel Neill is cute, but doesn't do much. And even the usually reliable character actor Donald MacBride falters, coming across as too pigheaded and obtuse for the district attorney job he supposedly holds.
As to the mystery, the murderer is not obvious. However the rationales are very shaky, when it comes to the murder itself, and the explanations about where and when it was performed. And, finally, why the murderer would be tricked into attempting to kill a supposed witness makes no sense at all, since s/he (you'll have to guess which) could have easily fended off any allegations as mistaken because of (as s/he points out) a seemingly iron clad alibi.
PS: My copy doesn't have the missing song number either.
Clumsy exit to a forgotten series.
mark.waltz12 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
The seventh and final entry in the brief "Teen-agers" series (although there was one unrelated film with the cast called "Music Man") Is a rather dull murder mystery with music, set around the discovery and disappearance of a body, and how it ties into campus administration. Awkward Warren Mills discovers the body, loses it, finds it again, and so on and so on.
Donald MacBride, who played the town mayor in the previous film, is Mills' detective father who seems to think he's a Caucasian Charlie Chan in his arrogance and the way he treats his son. There's several dark characters thrown in to cast suspicion on them, and all that succeeds in doing is creates frustration. The musical numbers throws the short film further off balance. Freddie Stewart and June Preisser certainly aren't Mickey and Judy.
Donald MacBride, who played the town mayor in the previous film, is Mills' detective father who seems to think he's a Caucasian Charlie Chan in his arrogance and the way he treats his son. There's several dark characters thrown in to cast suspicion on them, and all that succeeds in doing is creates frustration. The musical numbers throws the short film further off balance. Freddie Stewart and June Preisser certainly aren't Mickey and Judy.
Teen Agers Musical
brmaz28 August 2002
Don't know if this is possible to see--anywhere--and would love to hear if anyone knows where it can be accessed. I HAVE read the final shooting script--and it's a workaday Monogram mystery musical. The highlight is the screen appearance of the wonderful 40s/50s singer Little Miss Cornshucks (Mildred Jorman), who sings in a haywagon sequence. If anyone knows more, please let me know.
Little Miss Cornshucks was my adopted auntie in Chicago.
amrafilms117 November 2008
Yes, I'd like to see this movie as well, as Little Miss Cornshucks was my adopted auntie in Chicago. My earliest memories were of her living with us in Chicago's Hyde Park, in an apartment, when I was about four or five years old. The last time I saw her I was about nine years old. I have fond memories of those times, although now they seem a little foggy, and the memory of her face has faded away, but somehow I still faintly remember her hair being braided in two pigtails on either side of her head, and a broad happy smile, somehow didn't reveal her inner pain and from what I was told later from family members, of her struggle with substance abuse. I miss her dearly and just discovered that she passed away in 1999. If anyone knows where I can get this movie please let me know. My name is Desi Singh.
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