Alias Mary Smith

Poor, pretty Blanche Mehaffey (as Joan "Mary Smith" Wentworth) loses her purse to a street snatcher; but, a tipsy passing playboy, John Darrow (as Robert "Buddy" Hayes), manages to retrieve the handbag. After Mr. Darrow walks Ms. Mehaffey home, he tries to collect a kiss, and more, as a reward. But, the standoffish Mehaffey smacks him. She is seeing snarling gangster Matthew Betz (as "Snowy" Hoagland). Mehaffey's associations with the criminal set make her a prime suspect in the murder of the man whose testimony sent her brother to the electric chair - but, Darrow thinks Mehaffey is innocent...

Newspaper headlines seem to proclaim the victim's death before the body of "Marco Hahn" even stiffens. Having the cat "Midnight" draw attention to the body was a purrfect touch. Mr. Betz' gangster rap, and Raymond Hatton (as Scoop)'s reporter are mildly amusing. Co-stars Mehaffey and Darrow are a boring romantic couple. Veterans like Henry B. Walthall (as Atwell) always manage to look good and professional, albeit in a lackluster and low-budget production.

*** Alias Mary Smith (1932) E. Mason Hopper ~ Blanche Mehaffey, John Darrow, Henry B. Walthall