Excellent, smart action film.

Amazing worth wacthing. So good. Biased but well made with many good points.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Amazing worth wacthing. So good. Biased but well made with many good points.

I don't know why M-G-M decided to exchange Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell for the amazingly successful team of Melvyn Douglas and Florence Rice who debuted as Joel and Garda Sloane in 1938's Fast Company. Mind you, Robert and Rosalind actually do very good jobs, although the chance to act in a superior screenplay – which is actually even more exciting than the original – helps too. Also of immense assistance here is a really outstanding support cast led by Sidney Blackmer as the evil, stop-at-nothing "Lucky" Nolan – no, I'm not giving away an essential plot twist. Lucky's just one of the suspects so far as the main murder is concerned. Also tops in the support cast are Jo Ann Sayers as Christina, Joan Marsh as Bobby, and Tom Collins as Gerald. I know these are not household names, but it goes to show what an enormous pool of talent was hanging around Hollywood in 1939 (often described as Hollywood's greatest year). And I can't leave off praising the acting without mentioning Etienne Girardot who is absolutely priceless in the role of Christopher Oates. This one was produced on a bigger budget than Fast Company and is well directed by the usually unexciting Edwin L. Marin, who never surpassed A Study in Scarlet (his second film); but this entry comes close! Available on an excellent Warner Archive DVD.

Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell take up the roles that Melvyn Douglas and Florence Rice had in "Fast Company" (made just one year earlier), and although they do a thoroughly professional job of it, I felt that the relationship portrayed by Douglas and Rice was a tad sweeter; in "Fast And Loose", there is a little too much "Go out now darling, I have to take care of business all by myself" attitude by the husband. Nonetheless, there are some funny moments (the perfume, the closing gag, etc). The mystery itself is thicker than that of the first film and demands your full attention if you want to keep up with all the different characters. The film feels a bit drawn-out at times, however the ending does provide a jolt! **1/2 out of 4.

Comedy/murder-mystery with a plot that's a bit rambling, but the action is considerably boosted up by the smart, snappy patter and chemistry between the two leads, Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell. They play a husband/wife duo who own a rare book business, sleep in twin beds, and soon get themselves mixed up with a house full of murder, intrigue, and the constant back and forth of characters appearing in satin robes or satin gowns as our couple plays detective to try and find out who is behind the mystery of a forged Shakespeare manuscript.This film is fun, though the plot is sort of hard to follow, and there are too many boring side characters that don't really add anything to the mix. But - Rosalind Russell is smart and funny, as usual, and gets to appear in lots of gorgeous dresses and gowns, as usual. Robert Montgomery, well, is just so darn charming and attractive, how can he miss (okay, I admit I have a crush - I'm afraid my feelings about this film may have been altered based on the fact I'm still swooning over him). Mediocre story, but nicely played by the two leads who really seemed like a married couple to me (I thought it was cute when she tied a little ribbon into a bow around a strand of his thinning hair).

"Fast and Loose" is a pleasant surprise. It is a well written who done it. I like the character portrayed by Robert Montgomery a part time investigator named Sloan. The role of Sloans wife is aptly played by Rosalind Russell who ' helps' her husband in his case solving endeavors. The cast is full of veteran character actors such as the venerable Ian Wolfe who can be seen in some Rathbone / Bruce type Sherlock Holmes films of the '40's. The fact that this mystery movie was written well enough to keep you guessing till the very end adds to it's charm. The setting of social muckity - mucks adds a nice flavor to the film also. In 1939, when this film was released, many landmark films crossed the silver screen. That same year Tyrone Power made an appearance as Zorro. Rathbone and Bruce started the Holmes series. As for classic mystery movies I think "Fast and Loose" was made in the right year. The film is not available on DVD, yet. It may never be. If I see it aired on TV again I WILL copy it for my archives. It is worth seeing again.