A Slight Case Of Murder 1938-Edward G. Robinson

A Slight Case of Murder is a non-stop laugh riot and a brilliant parody of the classic Hollywood gangster film. Blessed with a screenplay that is not only flawlessly constructed but also drop-dead funny, Murder also benefits from a peculiar, quirky and, at times, surreal sensibility that makes it stand out from many other studio comedies of the period. The hand of Damon Runyon is clearly evident in much of the dialogue, but the trio of writers who collaborated with him on the screenplay have kept many of Runyon's bad habits -- such as an occasional willingness to go for cheap sentiment -- in check. Director Lloyd Bacon is operating in top form, almost as if he were competing with Howard Hawks to keep things moving in the most crackling manner possible. In the demanding lead role, Edward G. Robinson is delightful, a presumed tough guy who can't help but be a cuddly softie; no one handles the fish-out-of-water routines in quite the same way, and his offhanded way with a punch line is delicious. Ruth Donnelly is a stitch as his wife and Bert Hanlon has an amusing turn as Sad Sam the bookie. Unlike Robinson's cheap, bootleg booze, Murder just gets better with age.

Cast:Edward G. Robinson - Remy Marco

Jane Bryan - Mary Marco

Allen Jenkins - Mike

Ruth Donnelly - Nora Marco

Willard Parker - Dick Whitewood

John Litel - Post

Edward S. Brophy - Lefty

Harold Huber - Guiseppe

Eric Stanley - Ritter

Paul Harvey - Mr. Whitewood

Bobby Jordan - Douglas Fairbanks Rosenbloom

Joe Downing - Innocence

Margaret Hamilton - Mrs. Cagie

George E. Stone - Ex-Jockey Kirk

Bert Hanlon - Sad Sam

Jean Benedict - Remy's Secretary

Harry Seymour - The Singer

Betty Compson - Loretta

George Lloyd - Little Dutch

Duke York - Champ

Pat Daly - Pete Ryan

Harry Tenbrook - A Stranger

Wade Boteler - 3rd Policeman

Joe Caits - No Nose Cohen

Loia Cheaney - Nurse

Harry Cody - Pessimistic Patron

Ralph Dunn - 2nd Policeman

John Harmon - Blackhat Gallagher

Ben Hendricks, Jr. - 1st Policeman

John Hiestand - Radio Commentator

Carole Landis

Bert Roach - Speakeasy Proprietor

Myrtle Stedman - Nurse