The Falcon’s Alibi ** (1946, Tom Conway, Jane Greer, Elisha Cook Jr, Rita Corday, Vince Barnett, Emory Parnell, Al Bridge) – Classic Movie Review 3219

Michael Arlen’s débonair detective The Falcon (Tom Conway) is called in by the secretary of wealthy Gloria Peabody (Esther Howard) to protect her employer’s jewels – and he’s the number one suspect when they go missing and murders ensue – in a par-for-the-course remake of 1941’s The Gay Falcon, which was the very first entry in the Falcon series.

Director Ray McCarey’s 1946 mystery thriller is the penultimate, 12th movie in the original Falcon series of 13, following The Falcon in San Francisco (1945), with three more to come after The Falcon’s Adventure (1946), all starring John Calvert as Michael Waring aka The Falcon – Devil’s Cargo (1948), Appointment with Murder (1948) and Search for Danger (1949).

The yarn was told better the first time and the production is sparse. But Conway is still on reasonably good suave form and the star supporting cast adds real allure – especially Jane Greer, Elisha Cook Jr and Rita Corday. Greer sings ‘Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are, with music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Sammy Cahn.

Also in the cast are Vince Barnett as The Falcon’s buddy Goldie Locke, Emory Parnell as Metcalf, Al Bridge as Police Inspector Blake, Jean Brooks as Baroness Lena, Myrna Dell, Paul Brooks as Alex Olmsted, Jason Robards Sr as Harvey Beaumont, Morgan Wallace as Bender and Lucien Prival as the Baron.

© Derek Winnert 2015 Classic Movie Review 3219

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com