THE HIDDEN EYE
(director: Richard Whorf; screenwriter: characters created by Baynard kendrick/story by George Harmon Coxe/George Harmon Coxe/Harry Ruskin; cinematographer: Lester White; editor: George Hively; music: David Snell; cast: Edward Arnold (Captain Duncan Maclain), Frances Rafferty (Jean Hampton), Ray Collins (Phillip Treadway), Thomas Jackson (Inspector Delaney), Paul Langton (Barry Gifford), Bill Phillips (Marty Corbet ), Morris Ankrum (Ferris), Sondra Rodgers (Helen Roberts), Theodore Newton (Gibbs, chauffeur), Ray Largay (Arthur Hampton), Clyde Fillmore (Rodney Hampton); Runtime: 69; MPAA Rating:NR; producer: Robert Sisk; MGM; 1945-B/W)
“A crime drama involving a blind private detective that proves engaging enough.“
Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz
A crime drama involving a blind private detective that proves engaging enough. Director Richard Whorf (“It Happened in Brooklyn”/”Champagne for Caesar”) efficiently handles it. It’s based on a story by George Harmon Coxe, and is written by Coxe and Harry Ruskin. After his return from Army service, where he was wounded, Barry Gifford (Paul Langton) falls in love with Jean Hampton (Frances Rafferty). She’s the wealthy heiress of tin mine owner, Arthur (Ray Largay), who was once a business partner with his father. Her father thinks the couple should wait because it was so recent her two cousins were mysteriously slain. When the couple seek Arthur’s brother Rodney (Clyde Fillmore) for approval to marry, he’s found dead in his apartment. Jean seeks out the help of the blind NYC private detective Captain Duncan Maclain, who is aided by seeing-eying dog Friday and his loyal assistant Marty (Bill Phillips). Because the killer leaves perfumed notes on his victim, Mac gets to the bottom of it through his scent of smell and clears Barry, the one the police suspect. Mostly talk, but it works as an old-fashioned mystery story. The only action is a fistfight between the villain and the blind detective.
REVIEWED ON 2/4/2018 GRADE: B- https://dennisschwartzreviews.com/