The House Across the Street (1949)

Sadly Over-hyped

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

Funny, strange, confrontational and subversive, this is one of the most interesting experiences you'll have at the cinema this year.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

This B-movie was directed by Richard Bare, the guy responsible for all those Joe McDoakes shorts as well as the rural comedies of the 60s, like "Petticoat Junction" and "Green Acres". The story, though very familiar, is quite well done.The editor of a local newspaper is in hot water with the owner. It seems that Dave Joslin (Wayne Morris) has been running all sorts of critical stories about a mobster named Keever (Bruce Bennett)...and Keever is threatening to sue. But when Joslin refuses to back off, the owner can't fire him...he has a contract with Joslin. So instead to punish him, he's assigned to run the lonely hearts department. Later, when an odd story about a man who was slipped a mickey lands on his desk, Joslin investigates...and thinks this all might be related to Keever. And, instead of going to the police, Joslin decides to investigate for himself.During the 1930s and 40s, there were tons of mystery films in which some member of the public investigates and solves a crime. However, this one is handled more smoothly--with some very nice acting, writing and direction. Worth seeing despite being a rather slight movie.

The first time this film was made it was 1934 and it was a precode of sorts entitled "Hi Nellie!" with Paul Muni in the role of the demoted newspaper reporter forced to author the paper's lonely hearts column until he can redeem his professional reputation. The idea was novel and anything with Glenda Farrell and Paul Muni is worth watching. The second time it was made it was 1937's "Love is On the Air" with Ronald Reagan as a demoted radio reporter who can't keep his mouth shut concerning his suspicions about a local gangster's involvement in murder. That one is notable as not only Reagan's first credited film appearance, but a starring role for him to boot.The third time around this story is moved back to a newspaper, and this time it is Wayne Morris, workhorse of Warner's B picture unit, in the role as the demoted managing editor. This time his girl Friday (Janis Paige as Kit Williams) is involved with Morris' character from the beginning, so she is always supportive. In the original 1934 film Glenda Farrell plays the female lead, but one that is antagonistic of Muni's character throughout yet helps him just the same. Here the gangster behind all the crime and Morris' character's demotion is played somewhat unpersuasively by Bruce Bennett, who usually played rather oatmealish good guys.I guess what I'm trying to say here is that these three pictures are not perfect replicas of each other, but by 1949 Warner Bros. no longer considers this story A-list material and treats it as such. For the gritty A-list version of this film see 1934's "Hi Nellie". For Ronald Reagan at the very beginning see "Love is On the Air". To see what Warner Brothers could do with this story a third time as far as adapting it to the times - post War America - see this film. Nobody could whip up a batch of celluloid leftovers and make it as palatable as 30's and 40's Warner Brothers.

"Hi, Dolly!", a copy boy screams to the new advice column editor after he is demoted from managing editor. In this remake of the 1934 film "Hi, Nellie!", it is Wayne Morris who gets the insulting nickname. Several years later, June Allyson would change the "Hi" to "Hello" when she greeted a gossip columnist in "The Opposite Sex". So don't confuse these two Dolly's with everybody's favorite matchmaker in a play and musical that featured an explanation point at the end of its title.Morris is supported by Janis Paige as a fellow advice columnist, Alan Hale Sr. as his boss, and Bruce Bennett, James Mitchell and Barbara Bates as the villains. The ever recognizable Charles Lane has a major small role as a nasty landlord that Morris encounters while investigating the murder which gets him demoted. Paige is great in her last film under her Warners contract (before she found Broadway fame in the original "Pajama Game") playing a down-to-earth girl who is less glamorous or earthy than her usual characters. And yes, that is "All My Children's" Palmer Cortlandt as the slimy gangster, even though James Mitchell's voice is not as recognizable as his face is.This is a typical Warner Brothers crime thriller with comic elements. An out of place barber shop quartet number has a nice payoff even if it seems 30 years too late.

I do not know if this would be considered a classic, but it is a nice little film starring Wayne Morris, who by the late 1940's was not seen in too many starring roles in Hollywood. Morris gives a good performance as a newspaper man trying to expose criminal kingpin Bruce Bennett as a murderer. Good pacing, simple script with some fine witty dialogue. I saw this movie during a cold and blustery snowstorm. This is the kind of film that used to grace our late late movies. I sure could use more of this kind of entertainment on tv in the wee hours of morning instead of so many infomercials. Check this one out if it is ever on. It's worth a watch.MM