Highly Overrated But Still Good

Yes, absolutely, there is fun to be had, as well as many, many things to go boom, all amid an atmospheric urban jungle.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

In many ways, "Fast Company" seems like a thinly veiled Thin Man sort of movie...and why not? After all, this MGM pairing was adored by the public and made a lot of money...so why not try this sort of formula with other MGM actors? And, of all the Thin Man-style films, this is among the most enjoyable.Joel (Melvyn Douglas) and Garda (Florence Rice) are a very enjoyable married couple to watch. Unlike most Post-Code couples, these two adore each other and the sexual chemistry and energy is definitely there....something that was also a strength in the Thin Man films. They operate a rare book business and much of their money is made tracking down stolen and faked books. One case they'd been working on involved poor Ned...a guy sent to prison because he supposedly stole some rare books from his employer who was also his father-in- law (Goerge Zucco)! Joel is out to find the books and trace their trail, as he's pretty sure the owner actually sold them and claimed they were stolen because he hated Ned and thought he'd be a perfect patsy for his crime...as, after all, the books were also heavily insured. I could say more...but you should just see the picture.The best thing about this film is the great dialog. The writing was just spot on with this one and it sure helped that Melvyn Douglas was cast in this one because he had a delightful way with comedy...and although Rice is not especially famous, she was quite nice as well. Combined these elements with a decent story and you've got a real winner here--well worth seeing and just plain fun.

Watchable, light entertainment, this still has a feeling of haven't we seen this all before? And much better, too. The MGM gloss rules in this blatant attempt to be a new "Thin Man", but lacks originality. The idea of a married couple involved in murder through their antique book business sets up a potentially interesting story, but all that occurs other than a murder is the intrusion of a lot of very eccentric characters and a bit of convoluted story to follow. The film is at its best when it concentrates on the married couple, here played by Melvin Douglas and second string MGM lead Florence Rice. Likable but unremarkable, she is certainly no threat to Myrna Loy. In support are Shepperd Strudwick as an apparently innocent man accused of murdering fence George Zucco, Claire Dodd as a flirtatious socialite, and Nat Pendleton as a smarmy character whom Douglas and Rice encounter on the road to solving the crime. MGM didn't seem to have confidence in the series or its stars, replacing the leads in all three films. Certainly an adequate time filler, it just doesn't tell, especially when compared to Nick and Nora, them preparing their third teaming. Douglas is as dashing as William Powell, but wisely moved on after this.

Okay, so they're not Nick and Nora, but MGM produced this and 2 other such films (with different stars) to fill in the time gaps between films in the "Thin Man" series. Nevertheless, this is a neat little murder mystery.If there's a significant problem here, it's that Florence Rice (the female lead) can't hold a candle to Myrna Loy. Too bad she is held to that standard, but Rice just didn't have the gravitas (for wont of a better word) to do so. It's a shame, because on the other hand, Melvyn Douglas does quite nicely here not only as an alternative to William Powell, but also in his own right. For many years I knew Douglas only as an older and very serious actor, but in his younger days he played quite a few light and flip characters...this being one.In terms of supporting actors, they mostly do their jobs, but none shine. Claire Dodd is pretty decent as the other woman, deeply involved in criminal activity, yet seemingly not a criminal. Shepperd Strudwick, around whom the plot focuses, strangely disappears a little bit into the film...for no good reason. Louis Calhern -- in later films a favorite character actor of mine -- plays the primary bad guy here...and does "okay". You'll recognize Nat Pendleton as a dumb bad guy, Douglass Dumbrille as a lawyer, George Zucco as a semi-bad guy, and another favorite character actor of mine -- Minor Watson. Again, they all do what they need to do, but that's about all.The script is better than the character actors. The leads are involved in rare books, are presented with an odd murder case that deals with such books, and humorously work to solve the mystery and save a friend. It's an interesting little plot, though nothing to write home about.The comparisons with "The Thin Man" series are inevitable, and although this film doesn't quite compare, it's still a pretty good little story -- but a B, not an A, picture.

The first and best of the three "Fast" films featuring Joel and Garda Sloane turned out by M-G-M in 1938 and 1939, "Fast Company" features not only an intriguing mystery plot, but a most entertaining glimpse of the rare book business. Mind you, it helps immensely that Melvyn Douglas and Florence Rice make such a superb team as Joel and Garda. It makes me wonder why M-G-M didn't capitalize on this success and feature Douglas and Rice in follow-up movies. Douglas certainly went up and up the entertainment ladder, while Rice was handed smaller and smaller roles and quickly found herself – but still as the star – on Poverty Row! Her final film, "The Ghost and the Guest", was released by PRC in 1943. Getting back to "Fast Company", it also helped that the support players are all in such fine form, particularly Claire Dodd, Louis Calhern, Douglass Dumbrille and George Zucco. Nat Pendleton also distinguishes himself in a most unusual role as a comic hit-man. The character is amusing but at any moment we're aware that given the chance, he'll shoot our hero dead! A fine piece of acting, cleverly balancing stupidity and suspense! Watch out for silent star Barbara Bedford as the D.A.'s (Thurston Hall's) secretary. Available on an excellent Warner Archive DVD.