X Marks the Spot (1942)

X Marks the Spot (1942)

„X Marks The Spot“ is a 1942 noir mysteryfilm directed by George Sherman and written by Stuart Palmer and Richard Murphy based on a story by Mauri Grashin and Robert T. Shannon.

Set in the era immediately following the repeal of Prohibition. After his son, private detective Eddie Delaney, tells him that he is joining the army soon, police sergeant Timothy J. Delaney continues his rounds and investigates suspicious movements at a warehouse. He questions former bootlegger Marty Clark, who claims that his presence there is legitimate. Actually, Clark has arranged for the hijacking of two trucks, which contain tires he intends to sell on the black market, and shoots Tim as he is about to discover the stolen goods. Before dying, Tim manages to shoot two holes in Clark’s escaping car.

Meanwhile, the owner of the trucks, John J. Underwood, anxiously awaits their arrival, for even though he owns the tires, it is illegal to transport them due to wartime regulations. In 1942, during the second world war, rubber is a valuable commodity. When his drivers show up wounded, Underwood realizes what has happened and complains to his secret partner, to whom he has been paying protection. Soon after, Eddie confers with Police Detective Lieutenant William „Bill“ Decker, who urges him to work with the police solving Tim’s murder.

While Decker is questioning Clark about the wounded drivers, Underwood hires Eddie to find out who hijacked his trucks. Eddie goes to the hospital where Underwood took the drivers, but they are murdered before he can speak to them. Outside the hospital, Eddie sees the car that was shot by his father, and then sees it again by Clark’s nightclub, where he has gone to meet Decker to discuss the case. Decker leaves to get a warrant while Eddie keeps an eye on Clark.

Meanwhile, Linda Ward, an operator for a remote-controlled jukebox, receives a mysterious call announcing a blackout. She notifies all of the nightclubs in her service area, including Clark’s, and they turn out their lights. Clark is then shot in the darkness, and when the lights come back on, Tim’s service revolver, which Decker had given to Eddie, is determined to be the murder weapon. Despite Eddie’s claims that he left the weapon in his office, Decker tries to arrest him for killing Clark.

Eddie escapes and goes to question Linda in the hope that she can recognize the voice that called in the phony blackout report. Linda is wary but agrees to help Eddie in order to clear herself of an accomplice charge. As Eddie continues his investigation, Underwood is murdered, as is Bonnie Bascomb, a hat check girl who was about to provide Eddie with information about Clark’s killer. Eddie intimidates Dizzy, one of Clark’s henchmen, into taking him to the warehouse where Tim was shot, and while he checks out the location, Linda calls Decker for help. When she hears his voice, however, Linda recognizes him as the man who called in the blackout report. She rushes to the warehouse to warn Eddie, and as he and Decker struggle, Eddie realizes that the policeman was Underwood’s partner in the black market ring and that he killed both Clark and Underwood. The police round up Decker and the rest of the gang, and soon after, Eddie and Linda plan their wedding.

A 1942 American Black & White film noir crime film produced & directed by George Sherman, screenplay by Richard Murphy and Stuart Palmer, story by Mauri Grashin and Robert T. Shannon, cinematography by Jack A. Marta, starring Damian O’Flynn, Helen Parrish, Dick Purcell, Jack La Rue, Neil Hamilton, Robert Homans, Anne Jeffreys, Dick Wessel, Joe Kirk, Edna Mae Harris, Fred Kelsey, and Vince Barnett. Final screen appearance of Esther Muir. Released by Republic Pictures.

Sam Bernard, Edmund Cobb, Martin Faust, Jack Gardner, Sam Lufkin, Charles McAvoy and Frank O’Connor appear uncredited.

„Melody and Murder“ was the working title. It’s a remake of the 1931 film of the same name. Prolific B-movie director George Sherman’s biggest title was „Big Jake“ (1971), starring John Wayne.

„X Marks the Spot” is a phrase that has become a cliche, an easy way to designate certain locations as being of significance. It immediately conjures up visions of treasure maps and hidden secrets. Given its inherent declaration of exciting adventure, it’s perhaps surprising that only two feature films have ever used the title — this one from 1942, which is a remake of an even more obscure one in 1931. It may be even more surprising that the title seems to have little to do with the film. There is no hunt for a treasure, although there are certainly secrets, and there is no X revealing the location of what’s hidden. The “Spot” is just a nightclub, albeit a significant one.

Although not very original, and with events proceeding at such a breakneck pace you hardly have time to breathe, this is a thoroughly entertaining crime story with pleasant leads, strong fast-moving pacing, period charm, and plenty of fun. This nice little B-Movie is an unpretentious detective mystery with a twist.

Cast:

• Dick Purcell – Police Lt. William „Bill“ Decker
• Helen Parrish – Linda Ward
• Neil Hamilton – John J. Underwood
• Jack La Rue – Marty Clark
• Damian O'Flynn – Eddie Delaney
• Robert Homans – Police Sgt. Timothy J. Delaney
• Anne Jeffreys – Lulu
• Dick Wessel – Henchman Dizzy
• Esther Muir – Bonnie Bascomb
• Joe Kirk – Henchman Jerry
• Edna Harris – Billie
• Fred Kelsey – Police Officer Martin
• Vince Barnett – George
• Sam Bernard – Cabbie
• Martin Faust – Foreman
• Jack Gardner – Hospital Interne
• Jerry Mandy – Janitor
• Jane Allen – Jitterbug
• Richard Landry – Jitterbug
• Peggy Lynn – Jitterbug
• Charles McAvoy – Officer McAvoy
• Edmund Cobb – Officer Riley
• Sam Lufkin – Policeman
• Frank O'Connor – Policeman
• Frank Marlowe – Truck Driver
• Chester Conklin – Vagrant

„X Marks The Spot“ ist ein Noir-Kriminalfilm aus dem Jahr 1942 unter der Regie von George Sherman und dem Drehbuch von Stuart Palmer und Richard Murphy, basierend auf einer Geschichte von Mauri Grashin und Robert T. Shannon.

Der Film spielt in der Zeit unmittelbar nach der Aufhebung der Prohibition. Nachdem sein Sohn, der Privatdetektiv Eddie Delaney, ihm mitgeteilt hat, dass er bald zur Armee geht, setzt der Polizeisergeant Timothy J. Delaney seine Runden fort und untersucht verdächtige Bewegungen in einem Lagerhaus. Er befragt den ehemaligen Schmuggler Marty Clark, der behauptet, dass seine Anwesenheit dort legitim sei. Tatsächlich hat Clark die Entführung von zwei Lastwagen arrangiert, die Reifen enthalten, die er auf dem Schwarzmarkt verkaufen will, und er schießt auf Tim, als dieser das Diebesgut entdecken will. Bevor er stirbt, gelingt es Tim, zwei Löcher in Clarks flüchtenden Wagen zu schießen.