Sorry, this movie sucks

Memorable, crazy movie

Admirable film.

Absolutely Fantastic

Melvyn Douglas and Flo Rice are Joel and Garda, owners of a rare book business. Similar to Thin Man series, they are a husband and wife team solving mysteries. In this case, the insurance company hires them to figure out whats going on in the book market. Soooo similar to Thin Man... husband and wife flirt relentlessly. they drink. they smoke. they bicker in a friendly fashion. They even have Joel playing tricks on wifey to make sure she goes home while hubby goes off to do some dangerous sleuthing. So much talking. Both film series made by MGM. CLEARLY they were trying to capitalize on a good formula! Shepperd Strudwich is "Ned", accused of moidah. Julia, the secretary seems to be playing a role in all of this, played by Claire Dodd. Dodd would only make films a couple years more, quitting to raise a family. Rice would also quit Hollywood just a couple years later. The plot here is in-consequential... its all pretty bland. they run circles around the police department and solve the big case. Whatever. No big deal. nothing new to see here. Its a fine film, just another copy of the original.

Melvyn Douglas and Florence Rice are "Joel Sloane & Co. – Rare Books," as it says on their office door. The husband and wife team spends as much time flirting as detecting in this clever and very funny mystery.The plot involves a rival book seller (George Zucco) who has reported some valuable books stolen. Something is fishy….did he steal his own books and then frame his daughter's hot-tempered fiancé, who is in jail for the crime? Zucco is in cahoots with a counterfeiter who produces rare editions, and employs a clever secretary (the excellent Claire Dodd) who wears a mink coat that ought to be out of her price range….Anyway, it's not exactly a surprise when the shady Zucco is found murdered. There are multiple suspects, and Douglas sums up the general feeling when he tells the investigating police detective, "Well, if you're looking for a statement from me, I am not bogged down with grief."It's a very fast-paced picture. In one sequence, Douglas is kidnapped, tied up in a hideout, and escapes while Rice gets herself captured and the cops show up to the rescue—all in a matter of a couple of minutes. Witty dialog and the very attractive cast pleasantly overshadow the plot, which is rather complex but—in a movie like this—not all that important anyway.

"Fast Company" mostly lives up to its title: it moves fast enough and keeps you nice company. The mystery plot works pretty well, but the chief pleasure of the film is the playful and affectionate chemistry between Melvyn Douglas and Florence Rice: my favorite little moment comes when Rice, upon learning that her husband has spent his day with Claire Dodd "on business", says "What's she like?" and adds "Did I ask that casually?". She's not really jealous, you see: she trusts him like he trusts her. Another noteworthy element of "Fast Company" is the amount of Marx Brothers (!) connections: Rice and Nad Pendleton were both in "At The Circus", which was also directed by Edward Buzzell, while Douglas Dumbrille was in "The Big Store". **1/2 out of 4.

This is simply a terrific movie. Done in the "Thin Man" vein, it is not a cheap imitation, it has a life of its own. Florence Rice and Melvyn Douglas have some real chemistry going on as Garda and Joel Sloane. The entire cast look like they are really enjoying this one. Fast paced and slick, with just enough comedic touches, this movie succeeds in being very entertaining. Florence Rice has never looked more beautiful, as she dishes it out and takes it from Melvyn Douglas who is both witty and charming all the while putting together the clues to solve the murder. Louis Calhern gives a really solid performance as the villain, and veterans George Zucco, Douglas Dumbrille and Thurston Hall add to the drama and the mystery. Claire Dodd and Mary Howard give some more feminine charm to the proceedings, and Nat Pendleton makes an appearance for some comic relief. Throw in a young Shepperd Strudwick as the accused and you have a real find here in this movie. Florence Rice continues to impress as a truly gifted actress, this movie shows again the marvelous talent of this performer and the cruel twist of fate that has left her in obscurity. Hopefully this film will be available on DVD. Should have been the first of a series..........