Trade Winds *** (1938, Fredric March, Joan Bennett, Ralph Bellamy, Thomas Mitchell, Ann Sothern) – Classic Movie Review 9253

Director Tay Garnett’s 1938 comedy murder mystery Trade Winds stars Fredric March as hard-bitten former detective investigator Sam Wye, who is sent to head off to the Orient by Police Commissioner Blackton (Thomas Mitchell) to track down socialite Kay Kerrigan (Joan Bennett).

She ran off believing that she had killed millionaire cad Thomas Bruhme II (Sidney Blackmer), assuming a new identity and fleeing the country by ship. But when Sam gets on a boat sailing to Saigon, Sam finally meets Kay, falls in love with her, and cupid’s arrow messes up his original plan to bring her back.

Trade Winds is an entertaining blend of thrills, dramatics and humour, played with casual ease by the experienced cast. Dorothy Parker co-writes the script (with Alan Campbell and Frank R Adams) and her acid wit is readily apparent.

It is noticeable how the backdrops travel all around the globe while the actors stay safe and warm at home.

Tay Garnett provides the original story.

It also stars Ralph Bellamy as police detective Ben ‘Homer’ Blodgett, Ann Sothern as Sam’s secretary Jean Livingstone, Robert Elliott as police detective George Faulkner and Richard Tucker as jealous husband John Johnson.

Also in the cast are Joyce Compton, Phyllis Barry, Dorothy Tree, Patricia Farr, Wilma Francis, Kay Linaker, Dorothy Comingore [Linda Winters], Walter Byron, Wilson Benge, Harry Paine, Hooper Aitchey, Lee Phelps, Franklin Parker, John Webb Dilllon, Dick Rush, Jack Baxley, Mrs Sojin, Princess Luana, Marie de Forest, Beryl Wallace, Paulita Arvizu, Aiko Magara, Suzanne Kaaren, Gloria Youngblood, Lotus Liu, Ethelreda Leopold, Dick Botiller, Charlie Williams, Tom Quinn, Betty Boardman, Harry Barris, Cyril Ring, Brooks Benedict, Harry Bernard and Beak Wong.

Trade Winds is a Tay Garnett Production and was released on 28 December 1938 and distributed by United Artists.

Trade Winds is directed by Tay Garnett, runs 93 minutes, is made by Walter Wanger Productions, is released by United Artists, is written by Dorothy Parker, Alan Campbell and Frank R Adams, based on a story by Tay Garnett, is shot in black and white by Rudolph Maté and James B Shackelford (foreign exterior photography), is produced by Walter Wagner (executive) and Tay Garnett, and is scored by Alfred Newman (musical director).

 © Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 9253

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