everything you have heard about this movie is true.

Boring, over-political, tech fuzed mess

Great movie. Not sure what people expected but I found it highly entertaining.

There is definitely an excellent idea hidden in the background of the film. Unfortunately, it's difficult to find it.

A divorced man is nearly killed after he discovers the body of his ex- father-in-law. So, he seeks help from a know-it-all detective, Sam Campbell (Jerome Cowan) and he naturally discovers that there is a heck of a lot more to the story than meets the eye."Crime By Night" is an enjoyable B-movie, but it's also one that most film buffs could predict. After all, when the detective has a girl sidekick (Jane Wyman), you KNOW she'll be snappy-talking and a bit daffy. When it's set during the WWII era, the solution to the crime will involve Nazis. And, the private detective will be a heck of a lot smarter than the cops. It's all formula...and offers no surprises but is pleasant viewing if you don't mind this.

Jerome Cowan is a private eye hired to solve a murder. There are several other murders along the way, although the only sentiment they generate among their acquaintances is disappointment, not grief. How dare he die after being attacked with an ax -- before he told us who did it? Jerome Cowan, familiar from "The Maltese Falcon" a few years earlier, has the lead this time, probably partly because of his appearance in that film. But Cowan is no Humphrey Bogart. On the other hand, the writers were no Dashiel Hammets, and the director was no John Huston. The result is a complicated, fast-paced mystery yarn with no grace notes, an extended B feature.Some of the supporting cast is good. Cy Kendall as Sheriff Amblers, determined to win re-election, is a portrait of good-natured deceit. The women have key parts but little screen time. Jane Wyman is cute. The young Eleanor Powell radiates innocence and sex appeal.But it's all pretty formulaic and if you miss it, you're not missing much.

Sam (Jerome Cowan) and Robbie (Jane Wyman) are called upon to solve a murder. We meet a cast of characters................and Sam solves it.It's a bland detective murder mystery with some guy that looks like William Powell in the lead role. It's complicated and although Cowan and Wyman are likable, there is never any tension or drama in the story. The best part of the film comes when Jane Wyman and Faye Emerson (who plays Ann) come face to face. This happens at the end of the film and it's the only memorably entertaining part of the film. Cowan calls Wyman "Candy Lamb" throughout the film, and whilst this is funny at the beginning, it becomes irritating as he endlessly repeats it. This is a story that is immediately forgettable like many others and it's only worth it for Jane Wyman's performance.....and she's hardly in it!

CRIME BY NIGHT is a neat little programmer that gives JEROME COWAN one of his few leading roles in films. He was usually the man who supported the big Warner stars in films ranging from MR. SKEFFINGTON to THE MALTESE FALCON, always a reliable character actor.For an up-and-coming contract star, JANE WYMAN was given little to do in this caper, making me wonder how she ever reached full fledged stardom at the studio that insisted on wasting her talent in fluffy, very inconsequential roles in films like this and FLIGHT ANGELS, always the brassy wise-cracking dame before she tackled more serious roles. Another actress with a future at the studio is also on hand in a small part, ELEANOR PARKER, but it's FAYE EMERSON who has the most interesting role and she makes the most of it.The story is a dull contrivance about a vacationing detective (Cowan) who helps clear an innocent man of murder. He and Wyman join forces to solve the crime which turns out to be embedded in some sort of spy plot that is never hinted at until the final scene.Summing up: A weak programmer that wastes the Warner contract players.