It Couldn't Have Happened - But It Did (1936)

User Rating:

5.5/10   

Director:

Phil Rosen

Writer:

Arthur T. Horman (original story and screenplay)

Release Date:

1 August 1936 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Romance

Plot:

When a play's two producers are murdered, the playwright tries to solve the crime. |

Plot Keywords:

Producer | Play | Japanese | Male Female Relationship | Playwriting

Cast

Reginald Denny	...	Greg Stone
Evelyn Brent	...	Beverly Blake
Jack La Rue	...	Smiley Clark
Inez Courtney	...	Linda Sands
Hugh Marlowe	...	Edward Forrest (as John Marlowe)
Claude King	...	Ellis Holden
Bryant Washburn	...	Norman Carter
Robert Homans	...	Police Lt. O'Neill
Crauford Kent	...	Bob Bennett
Robert Frazer	...	Lloyd Schaefer - Stage Manager
Miki Morita	...	Hashi - Houseboy
Emily LaRue	...	Ingenue

Also Known As:

Divided by Two (USA) (working title)
It Couldn't Have Happened (USA) (review title)

Runtime:

70 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Approved

Filming Locations:

Mayan Theater - 1038 Hill Street, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Invincible Pictures Corp.

Awful title hides a good little mystery

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Awful title hides an okay little mystery.I had this film for a while but the title was so awful that I avoided it like the plague. Biting the bullet I gave it a shot this morning before breakfast.

The plot has the two producers of a mystery play killed. Suspicion falls on the cast, crew and a gangster who wants his girl in the play. The secretary for the producers "convinces" the writer of the play to solve it himself.He wants no part in the matter however everyone, other than the police, think it would be a great idea so he's dragged along.

This is a wise cracking little thriller that's actually much better than its title. The always good Reginald Denny plays the sleuthing playwright with just the right mix of "I don't want to do this" and intellectual curiosity. Jack LaRue is a hoot as Smiley Clark, the gangster with a humorous alibi for the murders. He is more than willing to get what ever Denny needs to clear him by whatever means necessary. The rest of the cast, made up of plenty of faces you know is good at providing some nice red herrings.

To be honest I doubt very much you'll guess who done it or how, the solution is much too contrived to be possible anywhere but in a mystery film or novel. That said the film is a neat little popcorn film, perfect for a rainy Sunday afternoon or a late night when you can't sleep.