“In case of an Emergency you can always depend on a woman.”
Patsy Brent (Iris Adrian) and Eddie Jones (Frank Jenks) run the Brent and Jones Bond Office. They are bail bondsmen that usually cater to small time law breakers. To up their class of clientele Eddie gets the bright idea of bailing out an investment company executive, Steven Morgan (Douglas Fowley). Morgan has been accused of embezzlement. Morgan maintains he is innocent.
Once he is out of jail Morgan goes to visit his old boss. He pleads his case to Clark swearing that he didn’t steal the $25,000 in negotiable bonds that are missing. Clark tells Morgan that it was either him or one of the over five men on the board of directors since only Clark and the six board members have keys to the safe. He also tells Morgan that he believes the bonds that were stolen were hidden somewhere in the company’s lodge. Morgan decides to search the lodge for the bonds.
Patsy is not amused, or impressed, with Eddie’s bright idea. Especially since he has used all their capital on one client. Not knowing where Morgan is Patsy goes to see his boss, John Clark, at the Clark Investment Company. When Patsy sneaks in to see Mr. Clark she stumbles across his dead body. Clark has been strangled.
Patsy sees Morgan leave his house and follows him to the lodge. Morgan convinces her that he is innocent and that he is looking for the bonds. The two of them do an exhaustive search and finally find the missing bonds, hidden in a booby-trapped compartment, behind a wall. Now he and Patsy need to come up with a plan to find who really stole the bonds and killed John Clark.
“Shake Hands With Murder” was released in 1944 and was directed by Albert Herman. The movie is a primarily a comedy with a mystery. Your basic romp. It is a poverty row movie produced by Producers Releasing Corporation. It is also a short movie, only about an hour. The plot is simple but effective. There are a reasonable amount of suspects and, thankfully, not really anything in the way of red herrings. A fun little mystery with a little romance and some light comedy.
Iris Adrian and Frank Jenks both were known for comedic roles. Both worked steadily from the 30’s into the 60’s. There aren’t any major stars in this but there are some standard bit players so the acting is decent.
It’s a forgotten piece of fluff but if you are in the mood for some silliness it’s well done. Just keep in mind that it is an old movie and has been left on the shelf for quite some time so no re-mastery here.