The most fun regarding the Warner Archive March 6, 2018 DVD release of the 1952 shouldabeenaclassic "Murder in the Big House" (nee "Born For Trouble") is the gangsterspeak that this tale of tough-talking crusading reporters trying to solve the titular homicide prompts. This self-created entertainment includes declaring that dames ain't nothin' but trouble. Anything in a skirt will take all your dough and leave ya sobbin' in your suds.
Additional fun relates to "Murder" reflecting the inspiration for the actual classic "The Front Page" (1931) and its several remakes. This hilarious comedy focuses on tough cynical newspaper reporters in the hours before an execution of a death row inmate.
"Murder" also is notable for being part of an informal Archive ode to the history of noir; it comes a week after crystal-clear Blu-ray releases of "Harper" and "The Drowning Pool" in which young lion Paul Newman plays a modern-day Sam Spade during the Silver Age of Hollywood. Reviews of both are pending.
A "True Hollywood Story" aspect of "Murder" is that it is the first film in which Van Johnson stars. He plays rookie reporter Bert Bell, who is not a wide-eyed innocent but has a great deal to learn. Bell is fortunate to have guardian angel gal reporter Gladys Wayne (Faye Emerson) and burned-out hard-drinking star newshound "Scoop" Conner (George Meeker) in his corner. Literally and figuratively taking Scoop out of the picture mid-way through and giving Johnson the heroic moments reinforces that the Warner boss of the era knows Jack about young talent.
Our story opens in true noir style with a corner newsboy shouting the big story of the day. In this case, it is the pending frying of Dapper Dan Malloy for his participation in killing a district attorney in apparent revenge for that boy scout targeting corrupt officials.
The action then shifts to a snitch passing Scoop a request from Malloy for a non-conjugal visit; the purpose of this confab is for this hired gun to tell the newspaperman of plans to sing like a canary before the screws roast him like a chicken. The proviso is that Malloy will keep his trap shut if the governor stops the prison grim reaper from flipping the switch that will light up our dead man walking like a Christmas tree.
Subsequent events lead to Wayne hijacking the story from Scoop and taking Bell along on for his own good. The gallows humor and other tough talk that they encounter in the press room in the period leading to the scheduled light show is straight out of "Page."
They (and we) soon learn of Malloy beginning his dirt nap ahead of schedule. The warden enters the room and announces that a lightning strike that is part of a violent storm has saved the taxpayers the cost of firing up Old Sparky to send Malloy to plead his case in front of St. Peter.
The warden goes onto invite the reporters to the cell of Malloy to remove any doubt regarding any shenanigans regarding the death stroke. The murderer would have gotten away with this if not for that meddling kid Bell concluding that the burn marks on Malloy only could have come from dying in the chair.
The mystery extends beyond "whodunit" to "howdunit." There is substantial proof of Malloy never leaving his cell and no answer to the question of how he could have been brought to the chair, been broiled, and then dumped back in his cell.
The scope of the investigation soon involves soon-to-be widow Irene Gordon. Her husband "Mile Away" Gordon is the literal partner-in-crime of Malloy, and it seems that history is soon going to repeat itself regarding that man receiving final justice. Part of the story is that Irene plans to stand by his man right up until he cools down enough to allow planting his six feet under.
The climax of "Murder" commences with the usual suspects and the usual rogues gallery gathering to watch "Mile Away" do a death house jig. The humor this time includes clear skies preventing lightning from striking twice.
The aforementioned heroics of Bell commence with not allowing the murderer to fool him a second time. He then confronts the man behind the scheme and must ward off this attacker. One spoiler is that you sometimes can get away with bringing dukes to a gun fight; this aspect of the film involves one of the top five lines in this B-movie gem.
The humorous finale is even more straight out of "Page" than much of "Murder." It both proves the true nature of genuine newspaper veterans and that you cannot trust the guys who write what you read.
The final bit of gangsterspeak in this post is to tell you to not be a sap and to just buy the DVD. You are not going to find a better mash-up of comedy, traditional murder mystery, and gangster flick anywhere.
Anyone with questions or comments regarding "Murder" is strongly encouraged either to email me or to connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.
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