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Better Late Then Never

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

George Cleveland, self proclaimed "professional traveler", well known reputation for "expert drunk", is the only key (or clue) to the identity of a phantom robber who seems to know which train passengers are carrying around large sums of money. Detective John King joins forces with robbery victim Marjorie Reynolds to find out who is committing these horrid hold- ups which seem to be related to something than more than just ordinary robberies. Cleveland, playing more eccentric than buffoon, emulates the heavy high class accent of Sydney Greek street. Out of nowhere, King gets a song, setting up romantic subplot between King and Reynolds. No real surprises in this low budget thriller that isn't as thrilling as it makes a claim to be.

Marjorie Reynolds was a bright, vivacious leading lady, who could also sing. Her career high point was co-starring with Bing Crosby in "Holiday Inn" (1942) and "Dixie" (1943), but she dressed up any movie she was in no matter how cheap the production.Joan Marshall (Marjorie Reynolds) is traveling on the Midnight Limited, a night train from New York to Montreal. She hears a scuffle in the next compartment and when she goes to investigate is also robbed by "The Phantom Robber"!!! She was robbed of papers that prove that she and her mother are the rightful heirs of a large estate but this plot goes nowhere. When she admits she had a glimpse of the robber she is immediately made a member of the police force (of course!!!) who are investigating the case. There are no surprises - it is obvious that the booking agent is involved after a gambler books a ticket on the train. It is well known that he is carrying $60,000 with him and surprise, surprise - he is robbed. Everything seems to fall into place for the viewer, long before the police figure it out!!!John "Dusty" King is a very lack lustre leading man. I was so surprised to read that he was a band singer. At one point in the film he is sitting down at the piano and sings "Quiet Hands" - very badly I thought!!! I was wishing why couldn't Marjorie have sung - she would have really livened up the film.

This is a far cry from "The 39 Steps," which preceded it, or "Twentieth Century." That one also came first but of course is a hilarious comedy with a great, brilliant performance by John Barrymore; it's not a mystery.Marjorie Reynolds is appealing as the heroine. John King makes a good investigator. Then he opens his mouth and sings. "The Singing Detective" this also is not.The dialog is strangely wordy and improbable in many cases. People have been given real mouthfuls to speak. But the plot is a decent one. It moves along nicely. And I had no idea who the villains were going to turn out to be. Usually I can either tell or I've got lost in too many characters.Here, though, the characters are nicely delineated. And the ending comes as a surprise. At least it did for me.

This movie was interesting but a little corny at times( when Val sings) They had to cram a lot in 61 minutes. the movie's movement had a little Dragnet to it.."just the facts'. The police characters seemed a little stiff and the mechanics of the railroad police etc was not very believable.( Adding Majorie to the force just because she said she would help) The addition of Willie the conductor was a nice a piece but the dialog with him was too simple and not as comic relief as it could have been... Majorie Reynolds was good and you can see her potential...remembering her as the wife to Chester a Riley is quite easy..The plot was good and could have been developed better but...All in all a good investment of your time far better that reruns on TV.....