Reading other reviews, I think I approached this with an advantage: I have never seen any other Perry Mason films, I've never heard of the TV series and have no idea who Raymond Burr was. I therefore don't have anything to compare it with. To me, this was simply another fun William Warren film with the added benefit of featuring lovely Genevieve Tobin. Viewed in that context, it's a reasonably entertaining thirties style comedy.
As is often seen in cheap 1930s comedies, the supporting cast are pretty one-dimensional giving performances with levels of enthusiasm commensurate with doing the ironing. They certainly wouldn't win any acting awards but that doesn't really matter. You don't actually have time to notice this because everything happens just so fast - very fast. Director Archie Mayo, who wasn't one for style or innovation at the best of times seems to either have been in a hurry or was trying to win a bet to see how quickly he could make a picture.
Warren William alone carries this. He is at his suave, sophisticated best playing a sort of Sherlock Holmes on speed. He is clearly loving this opportunity to outBarrymore Barrymore and his enthusiasm is infectious and engaging making this real fun to watch. The other person actually acting is Genevieve Tobin who is playing Joan Blondell. Although her character doesn't have much depth, she makes the most of what she's given and is honestly as good as the real Joan Blondell.
Overall, this is harmless nonsense but made fun by Warren Williams' crazy performance and Joan Blondell's, sorry, Genevieve Tobin's radiant presence.
As is often seen in cheap 1930s comedies, the supporting cast are pretty one-dimensional giving performances with levels of enthusiasm commensurate with doing the ironing. They certainly wouldn't win any acting awards but that doesn't really matter. You don't actually have time to notice this because everything happens just so fast - very fast. Director Archie Mayo, who wasn't one for style or innovation at the best of times seems to either have been in a hurry or was trying to win a bet to see how quickly he could make a picture.
Warren William alone carries this. He is at his suave, sophisticated best playing a sort of Sherlock Holmes on speed. He is clearly loving this opportunity to outBarrymore Barrymore and his enthusiasm is infectious and engaging making this real fun to watch. The other person actually acting is Genevieve Tobin who is playing Joan Blondell. Although her character doesn't have much depth, she makes the most of what she's given and is honestly as good as the real Joan Blondell.
Overall, this is harmless nonsense but made fun by Warren Williams' crazy performance and Joan Blondell's, sorry, Genevieve Tobin's radiant presence.