Thatcher Colt, created by Anthony Abbott, combined the grand standing tactics of Perry Mason with the sophistication of Philo Vance. Being described as the "best dressed bachelor in town" Adolphe Menjou was the obvious choice to portray him on the screen but it was unfortunate that Thatcher Colt was lost in the sleuth series shuffle and after "The Circus Queen Murder" was not seen on the screen again for another 9 years. Unfortunate also because Ruthelma Stevens played Kelly as a more than competent right hand gal. In an era where secretaries were either "after office hours" girls or wisecrackers, Kelly stood out as a sensible, no-nonsense type who more than matched Colt for brains. There also weren't many movies that featured Mayo Methot in a starring role - when she was starred (in "Afraid to Talk") she was usually as tough as nails. Her night club lady Lola is no exception, she barks out orders and commands, she seems to be able to take care of herself but she is frightened, all on account of some threatening letters she has been receiving.
By using his art of lip reading Colt is soon at her side in the crowded night club and is instrumental in saving her life as a shot is fired amidst the busy new year's eve celebrations. Back at her apartment, she cannot be saved from a cunning killer and Colt could have used Kelly's help in the first part of the film. Skeets Gallagher, usually so flip and funny, takes up too much time here as Colt's dipsy pal. It seems Lola is not the innocent victim that she appears - in one scene Colt has all the usual suspects in his office, her close friends and servants and they all have one thing in common - they are all being black mailed for past brushes with the law and all of them wanted her dead.
Apart from an atrocious print and the fact that Kelly doesn't come into her own until the last third of the film, it is a very entertaining and intricate mystery with a couple of red herrings (the houseboy's eagerness to be thought of as another Charlie Chan etc). Even though the action is constrained to only a couple of sets, the unusual plot contrivances (including a suspect who has been dead for a few years) keeps viewer's interest alive!!
By using his art of lip reading Colt is soon at her side in the crowded night club and is instrumental in saving her life as a shot is fired amidst the busy new year's eve celebrations. Back at her apartment, she cannot be saved from a cunning killer and Colt could have used Kelly's help in the first part of the film. Skeets Gallagher, usually so flip and funny, takes up too much time here as Colt's dipsy pal. It seems Lola is not the innocent victim that she appears - in one scene Colt has all the usual suspects in his office, her close friends and servants and they all have one thing in common - they are all being black mailed for past brushes with the law and all of them wanted her dead.
Apart from an atrocious print and the fact that Kelly doesn't come into her own until the last third of the film, it is a very entertaining and intricate mystery with a couple of red herrings (the houseboy's eagerness to be thought of as another Charlie Chan etc). Even though the action is constrained to only a couple of sets, the unusual plot contrivances (including a suspect who has been dead for a few years) keeps viewer's interest alive!!