The Corpse Came C.O.D.
                                                                                         
Director: Henry Levin
Year: 1947
Rating: 6.0
A mystery comedy that probably should have been a B film with a shorter running time. There is too much filler of people stumbling around in the dark or being stuffed in closets. But with two stars - George Brent and Joan Blondell - you can't make it a B film. The mystery part of it isn't bad at all with three murders and no obvious suspects. The comedy feels forced though and not a natural fit. It is as if they had a crime script based on a novel (from Jimmy Starr) and decided to overlay it with comedic elements. Much of it takes place in a film studio and the opening narration (from Don Wilson - Jack Benny's announcer) for some odd reason talks about Hollywood and then presents in video cameos, most of the well-known gossip columnists at the time. We get quick flashes of Hedda Hopper, Louella Parsons, Jimmy Starr and a bunch that I have never heard of. There is no reason for this since it has no connection to the film but I expect it was a try for positive publicity. I don't know whether that worked or not.

 

The corpse does in fact come C.O.D. Hollywood glam star Mona Harrison (a stunning blonde Adele Jergens) gets a delivery of rolls of material for clothes but they also come with a dead body; that of the studio's dress designer. With three bullets in him. Mona isn't pleased since she had to pay for it. She calls up her reporter friend Joe Medford (George Brent) to come help her. Medford is kind of a louse though and less than likable as played by Brent who could put an insomniac to sleep. He calls his photographer first, then puts in the story and finally calls a cop he knows. He runs roughshod over everyone including the cops. That's ok but he treats his girlfriend and rival reporter Rosemary (Blondell) like overweight baggage as well. Typical male bossiness. She is a scrapper though and keeps following the story.

 

Blondell looks really thin in this film and has lost that big-eyed, full cheek look from her 1930 films. She was over 40 now, had left Warner Brothers over conflicts of roles and money and had divorced Dick Powell - who went on to marry June Allyson. She was to marry Mike Todd in this same year. She had a big success with A Tree Grows in Brooklyn in 1945 but as an aunt. Her days of being the tough wise-cracking dame were pretty much over. This film is a bit of a last hurrah for her. And she gives the film the kick it needs because Brent brings little energy. He has one good scene when he beats a man silly and seems to enjoy it. Other murders come along and the two reporters keep stumbling over one another in search of clues and a murderer but by the third time it was getting old. Directed by Henry Levin.