Musical Mystery

MYSTERY IN SWING-1940-A two timing trumpet player named Prince Ellis (Robert Webb) is murdered. Suspects abound (an ex-wife, a rejected young girlfriend, her father) and it's up to a wiseguy reporter (Monte Hawley) to solve the case. Although this is an all black cast "race film" it plays much like a Charlie Chan Monogram mystery (including plotholes) except for the jive talk and great musical interludes (especially a vocal group The Four Toppers). It was probably more inspired by Hollywood gangster films. Co-writer F.E. Miller plays the comical Sgt. Slim, who saves the day and gets the girl! German born director Arthur Dreifuss worked mainly in low budget films and years later directed RIOT ON SUNSET STRIP. Star Hawley (sometimes billed as "The Bronze Bogart") was top performer in his time. Unfortunately he died suddenly at age 49 in 1950....


"The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend."-Abraham Lincoln

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