On the cusp of WW II, Ben Fallon, NYC radio station WECA's roving reporter uncovers a massive sabotage ring, only to be threatened and discouraged by the government and his boss.
The film's good news is threefold. It moves along briskly. There are several stand-out performances. As the lead, John Beal has a strong and enthusiastic voice. He comes across as a believable and likable reporter. As his clever secretary, Mary Treen steals the picture with her wisecracking. She adds oomph to all the scenes she's in. As the chief German saboteur, Alan Baxter conveys quiet menace. But he humanizes it with subtle nuances. Finally, the stock disaster footage is incorporated well.
Unfortunately, the film's bad news is its script. Chicken wire has more holes. Here are just some of the problems. 1) Beal accumulates important evidence, but never thinks to turn it over to government authorities. 2) Monty, Beal's detective, burns up the incendiary evidence that proves a warehouse fire was set by demonstrating how it works. 3) While the government can't seem to figure out whether sabotage is occurring, or who's responsible, Monty discovers the gang's ringleaders overnight. 4) Apparently neither the undercover government agent, nor the station manager (who helped place her) report Beal has received Monty's list. 5) Beal is framed for murder and treason, but police demonstrate no interest in strong evidence to the contrary. 6) Rice is kidnapped, and Beal tells his boss he is going after her, but doesn't say where he's going. 6) When the police search the boat on which Beal and Rice are being held, Victor, the one-armed villain, says: "Don't move, Mr. Fallon, we're all well armed." (Oy!) 7) Then, at the film's climax, Beal and Rice escape their bonds, but are not killed or even retied when recaptured. Thus they escape again, and save the day.
Jeez! Talk about a film being wronged by its writers. Its script only works for an audience that's been lobotomized. If the writers were paid, they should have done a better job, and if they couldn't, they should, at least, have been perceptive enough to credit their work to "anonymous."
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