Spencer Tracy is a newspaper reporter known as "The Murder Man" in this 1935 drama, also starring Virginia Bruce and Lionel Atwill. James Stewart has a small part as a reporter named Shorty. Two parts of this film are of particular interest, the first being something called a shooting gallery that's not what you think it is. Apparently these carnival/state fair type things where you shoot ducks actually existed along city streets in the '30s. They still do, only today, a shooting gallery is something else entirely. In "The Murder Man," this shooting gallery figures into the plot.
The second thing of interest in this film has to do with the very beginning of the movie, which today, gives away the entire plot. For the 1935 audience, it did not. Without using a spoiler, I'll just say - pay careful attention to the telephone call.
The plot concerns the death of an investment broker and the subsequent indictment of his partner. The Tracy character is Steve Gray, a top reporter who has some personal demons but nevertheless is on top of the case. It's he who demonstrates to the police that the killer actually was standing at the shooting gallery at the time of the murder. He's therefore able to scoop his competitors.
Tracy is very good as the reporter, and Virginia Bruce is lovely as a secretary on the paper who is falling for Steve. It's interesting to see the young Stewart in a minor role, but he fits in well with the ensemble.
The dialogue is quick and sharp, but for this viewer, there was no surprise ending. Worth seeing for two great stars before they really hit it big.
The second thing of interest in this film has to do with the very beginning of the movie, which today, gives away the entire plot. For the 1935 audience, it did not. Without using a spoiler, I'll just say - pay careful attention to the telephone call.
The plot concerns the death of an investment broker and the subsequent indictment of his partner. The Tracy character is Steve Gray, a top reporter who has some personal demons but nevertheless is on top of the case. It's he who demonstrates to the police that the killer actually was standing at the shooting gallery at the time of the murder. He's therefore able to scoop his competitors.
Tracy is very good as the reporter, and Virginia Bruce is lovely as a secretary on the paper who is falling for Steve. It's interesting to see the young Stewart in a minor role, but he fits in well with the ensemble.
The dialogue is quick and sharp, but for this viewer, there was no surprise ending. Worth seeing for two great stars before they really hit it big.