“You’re no lady! You’re a reporter!”
Just to remind you: Newspaper woman, Torchy (Glenda Farrel) and her homicide detective fiancee Steve McBride (Barton MacLane) continue their adventures in these hour long films from the 1930s. Got it? Good.
Torchy Blane in Chinatown: Who’s in the mood for some colonization? Cue music that is probably problematic! Although, I did like the establishing shot of Chinatown that showed all of the old shops and Asian women in their 1930s attire. Steve is investigating the murder of a very white man over the possession of some very Chinese jade burial tablets. While another man (a senator with a huge “collection of stolen Asian artifacts) is being threatened, Steve tries to find the family who originally owned the jade tablets and Torchy tries to scoop his investigation. The pair have a little more communication about why Torchy shouldn’t print the investigation until Steve had more of a chance to work . . . until he refused to let her tag along or listen to any of her hunches. Let’s face it. They have a lot of red flags as a couple. Then again, Torchy has enough red flags for both of them. For example, as a victim lies dying of poison, Torchy declares, “What a story!” Gahagan (Tom Kennedy), Steve’s driver, gives her a dirty look. He’s a less problematic writer, who constantly reminding everyone that he writes poetry . . . I mean, less problematic when he’s not creeping on Chinese dancing girls. Despite this being #7 in the movie series and full of nasty remarks about Asians, the mystery was pretty good. I mean, I did guess the bad guys before Steve, but probably not before Torchy. Torchy’s writing is really less of an issue in this film, whereas Gaahagan is almost drowned for his verse.
Torchy Runs for Mayor: This eight movie in the series really comes down to how far Torchy will go for a story. It starts with Steve being nervous that Torchy has run a series of investigative bylines accusing the current mayor of being political machine boss and having crime underworld connections (both of which are true). When the mayor threatens her paper, the story is pulled until Torchy gets proof. Gahagan helps her (after she sweet talks him about his poetry) to keep spreading the word which results in a political candidate murdered and Gahagan walking the beat. Steve writes in Torchy’s name as a candidate as a joke . . . so she runs. She puts on her best “look how innocent I am” dress and declares a platform based around protecting babies.
SPOILER: For once, Steve has to to solve the case because Torchy get kidnapped by the crime boss and mayor’s minion. She also wins the election and gives up her position of power - not to return to the newspaper world, but to marry Steve. I think it’s funny how everyone assumes she’ll settle down once she’s married. I suppose I’ll find out in the final film. Tune in next week!
