Movie Review: Cosmo Jones in the Crime Smasher (1943)
Synopsis: Professor Cosmo Jones, who recently graduated correspondence school with a degree in criminal psychology, witnesses a body being dumped in front of the police station and takes an interest in the case that results in him getting thrown in jail by Police Chief Murphy. After Pat Flanagan secures his release, the grateful Jones insists on helping the police sergeant catch both the killer and, later, the person who attempts to kidnap heiress Phyllis Blake. However, his meddling results in Flanagan being demoted and a misunderstanding that puts Flanagan's romance with Susan Fleming on the rocks.
Who's in it? The movie stars Frank Graham, Edgar Kennedy, Gale Storm, Richard Cromwell, Gwen Kenyon and Mantan Moreland.
Review: I still can't remember the name of the movie I thought I picked out a couple nights ago but, while searching for it again, I did come across Cosmo Jones in the Crime Smasher and thought it looked interesting enough to give a try. I watched it this morning and, while it wasn't quite as good as I hoped it would be, the film did prove to be entertaining.
Professor Cosmo Jones (Graham) was an intriguing character. He certainly had a curiosity but, despite his claims on being a criminal psychology expert, it was unclear for a good chunk of the movie if that was actually the case or if he just thought he was as smart as he claimed to be. In fact, for most of the film, the only real talent I saw him possess was the ability to mimic voices.
Pairing him with Black comedian Mantan Moreland, who played his reluctant assistant Eustace Smith, was a good choice. Jones was quirky but I don't know if I would go as far as to consider him funny. Eustace, however, filled in the comedic holes, especially when in conversation with the well-spoken (a nice way of saying "likes to use big words") Jones.
My biggest problem with the movie is it just didn't have enough of a mystery. There wasn't much effort to hide the villain behind the killings and kidnapping and frankly, Jones only seemed smart when compared to an arguably inept police force. Even Sgt. Flanagan (Cromwell) fit this description considering he didn't hear a man being shot only about a block away from him and probably should have been fired rather than demoted.
Oh, and whether Flanagan was expecting Phyllis Blake (Kenyon) to kiss him or not, he certainly didn't put up a fight, making me think Susan Fleming (Storm) could do better.
Final Opinion: I thought Cosmo Jones was interesting and I become a bigger Mantan Moreland fan whenever I see one of his films. I just feel like the case was a little too easy to fully appreciate the title character's skills.
My Grade: C+
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Here are some reviews of other movies from 1943:
Movie Review: Girls in Chains (1943)
Movie Review: The Leopard Man (1943)
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