1935's "The Murder Man" should be better known than it is today, seeing as it was the feature debut of James Stewart, improbably cast as a reporter who belies his nickname 'Shorty.' Film buffs most appreciate that it was Spencer Tracy's first film under contract to MGM, his home studio for the next two decades, coming off a solid performance in his farewell to Fox, "Dante's Inferno," and continuing in frighteningly angry mode opposite Sylvia Sidney in Fritz Lang's Hollywood debut "Fury." Tim Whelan was both director and coauthor of this offbeat combination of murder mystery and newspaper saga, shot in three weeks under working title "Crooked Alibi," kicking off with a spat between crooked investors James Halford (Theodore von Eltz), the suave gigolo luring in the ladies, and Henry Mander (Harvey Stephens), who enjoys playing with fire swindling clients repeatedly. Halford receives a telephone call from one of his numerous female admirers, one who has forsaken her husband and lost every penny, destined for a watery grave when rebuffed. A short time later, he is shot across from a shooting gallery, his partner the obvious suspect, revealed to have been present when the fatal bullet was fired from one of the proprietor's own guns, a .22 caliber. Lionel Atwill is cast against type as the investigating Police Captain Cole, granted the best laugh line in the picture when asked if he's figured out who did it: "the man who fired the shot!" This is where Spencer Tracy comes in as Steve Grey, ace newshound for the Daily Star, keeping one step ahead of authorities and every other astonished reporter in sniffing out clues before anyone else does. The real life similarities between Tracy and his character do not go unnoticed, playing a hopeless alcoholic capable of turning out fantastic work under pressure, yet hiding a dark secret that is only gradually revealed as the picture winds down. It is Grey's testimony that helps convict Mander of the crime, supposedly to collect on the insurance that has been in place for several years, but during a death house interview on the day of the execution, Grey starts to unravel as Mander insists he didn't kill Halford: "I know you didn't!" Virginia Bruce has the thankless role of lovelorn secretary Mary, Robert H. Barrat a delight as the alternately pleased or irate newspaper editor. James Stewart only has one brief moment to shine away from the other reporters (familiar faces like William Demarest, George Chandler, and Fuzzy Knight), stowing away in Mary's rumble seat to find Steve Grey on one of his benders, a typically awkward Jimmy smile to reveal himself. Tracy's vivid intensity is absolutely riveting and convincing, soon to dissipate in more lighthearted fare and a notable Oscar winning performance in "Captains Courageous."
Review of The Murder Man
