Private Detective (1939)
Rent DVD by Mail
Theatrical Release Information | See Details About All Versions
Probably as a reward for her energetic performance in Torchy Plays with Dynamite, pert Jane Wyman was given another Glenda Farrell-like leading role in Private Detective. Wyman plays gorgeous P.I. Myrna Winslow, the principal rival of male gumshoe Jim Rickey (Dick Foran). The case at hand concerns the murder of a millionaire, with the dead man's wife and her boy friend as principal suspects. Also adding to the intrigue is an enormous trust fund, set up in the name of the millionaire's adopted son. A goodly portion of the film takes place in a deserted mansion at midnight, with Myrna snooping where she shouldn't. The finale finds Myrna and Jim joining forces to capture the real murderer in a well-staged donnybrook. Private Detective runs 57 minutes-and "runs" is the right word here. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Complete Cast:
- Jane Wyman - Myrna Winslow
- Gloria Dickson - Mona Lannon
- John Ridgely - Donald Norton
- John Eldredge - Millard Lannon
- Selmar Jackson - Sanger
- Julie Stevens - Mona's Maid
- Henry Blair - Bobby Lannon
- Willie Best - Norton's Butler
- Leo Gorcey - Newsboy
- Maris Wrixon - Telephone Operator
- Creighton Hale - Coroner
- Dick Foran - Jim Rickey
- "Slapsie Maxie" Rosenbloom - Brody
- Morgan Conway - Nat Flavin
- Joseph Crehan - Murphy
- Vera Lewis - Neighbor Lady
- Jack Mower - Chick Jerome
- Earl Dwire - Justice of the Peace
- Frank Dae - Judge
- Sol (Saul) Gorss - Taxi Driver
- Lotta Williams - Mrs. Smith
- William B. Davidson - Inspector
- Director(s):
- Noel Smith
- Writer(s):
- Raymond Schrock, Earle Snell
- Producer(s):
- Bryan Foy
- Closed Captioning:
- Check All Versions
- Subtitles:
- Check All Versions
