Those magnificent B movies from the poverty row studios such as Republic and Monogram were often more enjoyable than the all time classics of the A studios. Sometimes, their fast and furious dialog and non-stop action had you hooked even during the credits. They were more of an influence for the new crop of directors rising up in the 1950's and 60's, and today, they are considered an art form all of their own, regardless of the motivation of making a quick buck.
"Grissley's Millions" ranks among some of the best that I've seen, mixing dark humor in with the typical story of an elderly hated head of a family on death watch as greedy relatives stand by. For Virginia Grey, the only relative who seemed to care for the humorously cantankerous Robert Barratt, her timing is really bad as her secret estranged husband shows up and is allegedly quickly murdered by the dying old coot. Within minutes, Barratt is dead too, by poisoning, and after Grey is named beneficiary in his will, she becomes the main suspect in his murder...and the target of intent to kill as well.
Along comes detective Paul Kelly, at first antagonistic towards her in his search for Grey's criminal husband, and later her only protector. A superb supporting cast includes Elisabeth Risdon as Grey's seemingly sweet aunt, Adele Mara as Risdon's gold digging daughter, Donald Douglas as Grey's suitor determined to get his hands on her estate, and Eily Malyon as Barratt's stern housekeeper. Thus flies by deliciously fast, with the culprit having a wonderful melodramatic confession. I was lucky enough to find this in its full version, not in the much edited TV print that usually turns up for most of Republic's films.
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