Charlie McCarthy, Detective
| Charlie McCarthy, Detective | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Frank Tuttle |
| Written by | Darrell Ware Robertson White |
| Produced by | Jerry Sackheim Frank Tuttle |
| Starring | Edgar Bergen Robert Cummings Constance Moore |
| Cinematography | George Robinson |
| Edited by | Bernard W. Burton |
| Music by | Frank Skinner |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 75 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | over $363,000.[1] |
Charlie McCarthy, Detective is a 1939 American comedy film starring Edgar Bergen, Charlie McCarthy and Robert Cummings.[2][3]
Plot
[edit]Scotty Hamilton is a reporter who works for a crooked editor. Bill Banning is another reporter who is about to expose the editor's ties to the mob. When the editor is killed, both reporter Banning and mobster Tony Garcia are suspected. However, Hamilton's friend Edgar Bergen solves the case (without much help from Charlie McCarthy).
Cast
[edit]- Edgar Bergen - Himself, Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snerd
- Robert Cummings
- Constance Moore
- Louis Calhern - Arthur Aldrich
- Edgar Kennedy - Inspector Dailey
- Samuel S. Hinds - Court Aldrich
- Harold Huber - Tony Garcia
- Warren Hymer - Dutch
- Ray Turner - Harrison 'Gravy' Randolph
- John Sutton
Uncredited
[edit]- Stanley Andrews - Freight Captain
- Granville Bates - Judge Black
- G. Pat Collins - McNeil
- Alec Craig - Bounds
- Eddie Dunn - Officer Walsh
- Bess Flowers - Mrs. Aldrich & Party Guest
- Robert Greig - 2nd Buther
- Anne Gwynne - Miss Larkin, Charlie's Nurse
- John Harmon - Harry
- Grace Hayle - Fat Woman
- Al Hill - Detective
- Charles Irwin - Drunk
- Charles Lane - Charlie's Doctor
- Frances Morris - Miss Nelson
- Frances Robinson - Court Stenographer
- William Ruhl - Doctor
- Dick Rush - Detective
- Konstantin Shayne - Headwaiter
- Milburn Stone - Joe Felton
- Charles Sullivan - Policeman
- Anthony Warde - Photographer
- Claire Whitney - Maid
- Charles Williams - Peters
Production
[edit]The film was announced in June 1938. It was the second movie Bergen made for Universal following Letter of Introduction.[4][5] Bob Cummings was assigned in October 1939.[6]
Filming took place from November to December 1939.[7]
Reception
[edit]The New York Times called it "a nondescript omlette".[8] Variety wrote "whatever box office reaction" the film "is able to generate depends on the ability of Edgar Bergen and his wooden stooge to carry this inadequate script and inept direction. Picture wilj have to struggle as top half of the dualers. It won't assist the screen progress of Bergen and his pal."[9]
References
[edit]- ^ "United States Court of Appeals For the Ninth Circuit - Universal vs Cummings". Internet Archive. p. 93.
- ^ Charlie McCarthy, Detective Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 8, Iss. 85, (Jan 1, 1941): 83.
- ^ Vagg, Stephen (29 October 2024). "Movie Star Cold Streaks: Robert Cummings". Filmink. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
- ^ NEWS OF THE SCREEN New York Times (2 Aug 1939: 24.
- ^ NEWS OF THE SCREEN: New York Times (3 June 1938: 16.
- ^ DRAMA: Los Angeles Times 30 Oct 1939: 13.
- ^ "United States Court of Appeals For the Ninth Circuit - Cummings vs Universal 1944". Internet Archive. p. 565.
- ^ THE SCREEN IN REVIEWB y FRANK S. NUGENT. New York Times 25 Dec 1939: 29.
- ^ "Charlie McCarthy Detective". Variety. 20 December 1939. p. 47.
External links
[edit]- Charlie McCarthy, Detective at IMDb
- Charlie McCarthy, Detective is available for free viewing and download at the Internet Archive
- Charlie McCarthy, Detective at the British Film Institute[better source needed]