Murder Is News

"Murder Is News" is a Canadian-made movie that pretty much looks, sounds and plays like its American version. According to the YouTube host of Hastings Mystery Theater, this film was made in Canada in order to fulfill a British law mandating that a certain percentage of movies shown in the British Commonwealth be domestically produced. But unlike many of such films made in the UK itself, "Murder is News" is clearly intended to look like the Hollywood version. And, overall, I think they did an excellent job of doing this and fulfilling the Commonwealth quota at the same time!

Like so many B-mysteries from the States, this one stars a plucky reporter. Unlike some films, however, he is NOT working completely on his own and the police are his friends. Too often, in such movies the police are bumbling idiots who cannot solve anything...and the smarty pants newsman does it for them. Here, the police simply don't have the authority to do more and they encourage Jerry to investigate as they stand by in case there is trouble.

When the story begins, Jerry goes to see Edgar Drake. Drake's high profile divorce is apparently big news and he promises to give Jerry a big story. But when he arrives at the meeting place, he finds that Drake is dead....and soon someone bonks him on the head and the body disappears. The police also soon arrive, as they received a similar call...but there just isn't much to go on, so Jerry is encouraged to investigate.

The film is an exciting and well made B. And, while I've seen at least a hundred similar movies, this one is a tad better because most of the characters seem less like obvious caricatures. Well made and worth seeing.