Midnight Manhunt (1945)

By CinemaSerf

Gangster "Joe Wells" is shot and robbed by George Zucco's "Jelke". He manages to struggle out to the alley where his body is found by passing journalist "Sue" (Ann Savage) who rather than call the cops, hides the body amidst some exhibits in the nearby wax museum until her newspaper can send a photographer and she can claim the $5,000 reward. Whilst she is arranging all of this, though - the museum owner finds the body but he, again rather then calling the cops, fears he may be implicated so hides it again - but where? "Sue" must try to find the body, but must also beat her competing journalist (and ex-beau) "Willis" (William Gargan) to the scoop - all whilst Zucco hovers around menacingly, and there is some talk of diamonds too! It is quite a pacy affair, this - but the acting and the script are borderline farcical, and indeed some of the waxworks may well steal what acting plaudits this daft murder mystery may deserve. It can't have had much of a budget, and it is not a bad film - it just isn't a film you will ever remember seeing afterwards.