A husband and wife team who are in rare books and are skillful at recovering stolen volumes for insurance companies become involved in the murder of a fence.A husband and wife team who are in rare books and are skillful at recovering stolen volumes for insurance companies become involved in the murder of a fence.A husband and wife team who are in rare books and are skillful at recovering stolen volumes for insurance companies become involved in the murder of a fence.
- Arnold Stamper
- (as Douglas Dumbrille)
- Danny Scolado
- (as Horace MacMahon)
- MacMillen's Secretary
- (uncredited)
- Safe Expert
- (uncredited)
- Maitre d'
- (uncredited)
- Assistant Dist. Atty. Byers
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe three films of the "Fast Series" were produced by Metro because exhibitors were clamoring for more movies from the Thin Man Series. The "Fast" films were intended to fill that gap.
- GoofsThere's a film editing error when Joel (Melvyn Douglas) wakes tied up after being kidnapped, and says, "Oh, what happened to my head?" Terison (Nat Pendleton) is playing cards. He stops playing, looks up and starts to answer. There's a cut and Pendleton stops playing (again), looks up, and answers.
- Quotes
Lt. James Flanner: [to Joel] Langner tells me that you've worked on some cases of stolen books... that you've helped the insurance companies quite a bit.
Steve Langner: Any favors he does we pay him for. There's not an altruistic bone in his body.
Garda Sloane: Anything you want to know about my husband's bones, Lieutenant, you can ask me.
- ConnectionsFollowed by Fast and Loose (1939)
'Fast Company' is the first of a series of three films, the others being 'Fast and Loose' and 'Fast and Furious'. Of the three, do have to agree with others that 'Fast Company' is the best. It won't ever be a personal favourite and have seen even better and more polished examples of the mystery/comedy mix. It is still hugely entertaining though and anybody that liked 'The Thin Man' films should find a good deal to enjoy here, as there is plenty.
The production values may lack polish in places.
While Florence Rice actually doesn't do too badly as the female lead and is appealing enough, she never quite excited me somehow.
She does have charming chemistry with Douglas, as wonderfully suave as ever with some grit and snappy comic timing as well, which contributes a lot towards 'Fast Company's' appeal. The supporting cast are also strong, with a sinister Louis Calhern standing out. The villains are a colourful and intimidating lot and it is hard to dislike the two lead characters. There is atmosphere to the lighting and William Axt's music score is typically moody, he was always very good at that.
Further advantages are a sharp and tightly structured script with plenty of snappy banter that sparkles in its wit, and a story that is gripping and eventful with plenty of turns without being too convoluted. It is a lot of fun and has some nice suspense, the pace always fast so that it doesn't get routine, and it never insults the intelligence or gets too silly. The characters are not exactly complex but are well characterised and carry the story really well.
Overall, hugely entertaining and well worth seeing. 8/10
- TheLittleSongbird
- May 1, 2020
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- The Rare Book Murder
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 15 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1