Sorry, this movie sucks

hyped garbage

Good concept, poorly executed.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

It's more of the same here for Boston Blackie in the sixth of the series. Chances have it that the film itself is more mediocre than before, although there are some very amusing moments. Boston Blackie finds himself in trouble once again, wanted by the ever persistent (and still dumber than a box of unpublished scripts) and the even more idiotic Walter Reade, all because he aided old pal Erik Wolfe in covering up manslaughter. Joining other macho dudes who dressed in drag, Chester Morris disguises himself as a scrub maid, along with George E. Stone, getting Maude Eburne drunk in the film's best scene. But it's mostly bland, a repeat of what was already done (and better), with Lloyd Corrigan back once again along with other previous seen actors in different parts. Jeanne Bates, a brief Columbia contract actress, gets little to do as Rolfe's wife, kidnapped by the villains and the key to what really happened. At least, however, it's not a dreadful film, although I found myself starting to feel a bit of de ja vu. Six down, eight to go, and hoping for improvement.

A prison work release program Boston Blackie (Chester Morris) is pushing is endangered by one of the prisoners being implicated in a murder. So what does Blackie do? He takes the blame for the murder, of course. I realize this sounds beyond idiotic but keep in mind that the formula of literally every Boston Blackie movie is that Blackie is the prime suspect in whatever murder occurs in that film. By the end of every film, he manages to catch the real killer and prove his innocence to dogged Inspector Farraday (Richard Lane). So, in a way, it makes perfect sense that Blackie would take the blame since his track record is pretty good with the threat of a murder arrest hanging over his head.Seriously, though, the plot to this one is pretty far-fetched and tough to swallow. But somehow it's still enjoyable thanks to the solid cast of regulars that the Boston Blackie series had. Yes, the series was extremely formulaic and this works against it, especially when you view the films back-to-back. But if you just happen to catch this one on TV one day, without any critical context, it will surely entertain you. Not the best of the series but still fun. There's a character named Dooley who throws just about the wildest overhand punch I've ever seen. That alone is worth checking it out.

Inspector Farraday seems nastier than usual in this Boston Blackie picture. Sure, Blackie is used to Farraday hounding him constantly, but now Farraday is out to pounce on Blackie's new convict reclamation project. The project is for the war effort, of course: Blackie has lined up jobs for ten early parolees at a tool and die works, and the convicts are talented welders and craftsmen, their skills much in demand in 1943. Farraday is having none of it, and lurks on the edges of the project, looking for the slightest slip-up. Come on, Inspector, show a little patriotism! The mystery plot here is solid and the action is fast-moving, though overall the film is perhaps not quite as sharp or quick-hitting as some in the Blackie series. Still, there's disguises (Blackie and the Runt as cleaning ladies, one of whom needs a shave); tight squeezes (Blackie and the Runt on a dumbwaiter); and poor detective Matthews taking insults (Farraday to his officers: "You cover the fire escape, you take the service entrance, and I'll go in the front way alone." Matthews: "Alone! Hey, chief, I'll be with you." Farraday: "It's the same thing.").Some hilarious newspaper headlines chronicle Farraday's attempts to capture and hold Blackie and a wad of $60,000 that everyone is concerned with.Good entertainment for us Blackie fans. Chester Morris, as always, is smooth and steady.

Chance of a Lifetime, The (1943) *** (out of 4) William Castle made his directorial debut in this sixth film in the Boston Blackie series. This time out Blackie (Chester Morris) gets ten convicts out of prison to work in a factory for the war relief. One of the convicts end up killing a man in self defense but this is enough to get all ten thrown back in prison so instead Blackie takes the blame but breaks away from Captain Farraday (Richard Lane) to find the real bad guy. Castle's direction is a little bland but the screenplay is full of wonderful gags and nice action, which makes this one of the better films I've seen in the series. Once again Morris delivers a wonderful character and I've really enjoyed this character enough to say it's probably my favorite of all these detective/mystery type films. The interplay between Morris and Lane is as fast and sharp as ever and the supporting cast playing the convicts make good.