Review of Blue, White and Perfect (1942) by Alex S — 29 Nov 2009

Its Michael Shayne versus Nazis in this above average entry in the detective series. The diamond smuggling plot is well played out and gives Shayne an actual mystery with some consequence. Nolan's street-wise charm helps ease the movie over some rather wacky plot turns.

Nolan's comedic turns are genuinely funny this time around, especially the phone call to his fiancee "from the plant". Despite the movie's low-budget production values, the film offers many a scenery change, from San Fransisco to a cruise to Honolulu which adds to a very fast pace for the action onscreen.

Although hardly echoing the hard-boiled edge of the Brett Halliday novels, this film won't disappoint those looking for an alternative to the Thin Man series.