In "Footsteps in the Dark" Errol Flynn proves he's more than a swashbuckler (as if his already playing a cowboy had not already proved that). Anyone who still thinks he's not an actor (a la Alan Swann in "My Favorite Year") and only a movie star should check out this movie, where Flynn heads a fine cast in a slick comedy-mystery.
Flynn changes his sword and tights for a nicely tailored suit, playing a broker who, on the side, writes scandalous mysteries. But he needs to keep his less-staid side hidden from his wife and her relatives, who are up in arms about his last book, which they think pokes fun at them.
Like so many crime authors, Flynn's character (under his pen name; as he hides his less savory writing side from his wife, he had to keep his wealthy lifestyle hidden from the cops, with whom he hangs out to pick up hints on police procedure--and, this time around, to prove a death by alcoholism is actually murder.
Flynn's wife is played by Brenda Marshall, his lovely costar from "The Sea Hawk." Flynn-movie stalwart Alan Hale Sr. gets a meaty part as the police chief, who is less than ably abetted by a thick-witted policeman (William Frawley).
Also on hand are Ralph Bellamy as a dentist and Sam Spade's secretary Lee Patrick ("The Maltese Falcon") rather inexplicably cast as a sexy singer/dancer (we'd rather have seen Ann Sheridan, especially as they described the singer as having "oomph" . . . but we can't have everything). Other familiar faces include Alan Jenkins, one of those actors who makes movie buffs say, "I've seen him before but can't place him." He gets one of his best roles to date. Oh, and is that Turhan Bey?--Yes, in an intriguing but ultimately undeveloped role.
Is it a great movie? Certainly not. But it's an inexplicably hidden bagatelle for people who like a bit of fun. I won't say it's the sort of movie they never make anymore, but it is the kind "they" hardly ever show on television. It's bags of fun; if I had one criticism, it's that the mystery element has one twist too many and should have been tied up about ten to fifteen minutes sooner.
The camera loves Flynn, and that's more than half of movie acting. He comports himself well and demonstrates a sadly underutilized flair for comedy, especially of the physical kind. He plays this comedy of mistaken identity to the hilt. Anyone who tires of Flynn playing noble all the time will get a kick out of this one.
Flynn changes his sword and tights for a nicely tailored suit, playing a broker who, on the side, writes scandalous mysteries. But he needs to keep his less-staid side hidden from his wife and her relatives, who are up in arms about his last book, which they think pokes fun at them.
Like so many crime authors, Flynn's character (under his pen name; as he hides his less savory writing side from his wife, he had to keep his wealthy lifestyle hidden from the cops, with whom he hangs out to pick up hints on police procedure--and, this time around, to prove a death by alcoholism is actually murder.
Flynn's wife is played by Brenda Marshall, his lovely costar from "The Sea Hawk." Flynn-movie stalwart Alan Hale Sr. gets a meaty part as the police chief, who is less than ably abetted by a thick-witted policeman (William Frawley).
Also on hand are Ralph Bellamy as a dentist and Sam Spade's secretary Lee Patrick ("The Maltese Falcon") rather inexplicably cast as a sexy singer/dancer (we'd rather have seen Ann Sheridan, especially as they described the singer as having "oomph" . . . but we can't have everything). Other familiar faces include Alan Jenkins, one of those actors who makes movie buffs say, "I've seen him before but can't place him." He gets one of his best roles to date. Oh, and is that Turhan Bey?--Yes, in an intriguing but ultimately undeveloped role.
Is it a great movie? Certainly not. But it's an inexplicably hidden bagatelle for people who like a bit of fun. I won't say it's the sort of movie they never make anymore, but it is the kind "they" hardly ever show on television. It's bags of fun; if I had one criticism, it's that the mystery element has one twist too many and should have been tied up about ten to fifteen minutes sooner.
The camera loves Flynn, and that's more than half of movie acting. He comports himself well and demonstrates a sadly underutilized flair for comedy, especially of the physical kind. He plays this comedy of mistaken identity to the hilt. Anyone who tires of Flynn playing noble all the time will get a kick out of this one.