Review of Grief Street

By the humble standards of Poverty Row, this is a first-class mystery thriller. The script plays fair as to the murderer's identity and his or her modus operandi. Fast-moving Richard Thorpe has directed with a sure hand – I love the way he moves the camera back into the stalls for that startling trick opening – making excellent use of his players and sets, while cameraman Mil Anderson has contributed appropriately atmospheric lighting. Diminutive but gorgeous Barbara Kent plays the heroine with just the right blend of sparkle and mystery. Admittedly, the movie is slightly let down by comic relief James P. Burtis, who tends to over-do his earlier scenes but becomes less out-of-key aggressive as the movie progresses. John Holland is a bit too stolid as the hero, but Lafe McKee gives a fine account of the stage doorman and although he is way down the cast list, Raymond Largay is on screen constantly and certainly impresses as Police Captain Blake. Dorothy Christy's role is small, but she makes an impression in her brief appearance, while Walter Brennan fans will be surprised to find their hero in a comic role as a stuttering newshound. By the humble standards of Chesterfield, production values are quite impressive, as this one was shot at Universal Studios (presumably at night) and made excellent use of that studio's standing sets. Available on an excellent Alpha DVD.