A brisk crime drama centered on Tom Fletcher, a daring insurance investigator renowned for his unconventional and sometimes reckless methods. Assigned to solve a wave of suspicious fires that threaten to bankrupt his company, Fletcher suspects an elaborate arson ring. His investigation takes him through a tangle of deceit, danger, and romantic entanglements, culminating in a high-stakes confrontation with the culprits.
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
Director: Erle C. Kenton
Erle C. Kenton (1896–1980) was an American director known for his work in comedies, crime dramas, and horror films. Starting his career in silent comedy shorts, Kenton later directed popular features such as Island of Lost Souls (1932) and several entries in Universal’s horror series, including House of Frankenstein (1944) and House of Dracula (1945). He was recognized for his ability to keep fast-paced narratives tight and engaging, particularly in B-movie thrillers like Grand Exit.
Star cast:
- Edmund Lowe as Tom Fletcher
- Ann Sothern as Helen
- Onslow Stevens as Carter
- Wyrley Birch as Holt
- Jonathan Hale as Foster
- William B. Davidson as Martin
- Robert Middlemass as Fire Chief
- Charles C. Wilson as Police Inspector
As a compact and entertaining B-picture, Grand Exit was appreciated for its snappy pace, witty dialogue, and Edmund Lowe’s charismatic lead performance. While not a major critical event of 1935, it satisfied audiences looking for quick-moving mystery and crime fare.
Fun Facts:
- Grand Exit was one of several crime dramas Erle C. Kenton directed in the mid-1930s before shifting focus toward horror and comedy.
- The film’s plot drew on real-life cases of insurance fraud and arson that had been making headlines in the early 1930s.
- Ann Sothern’s role came early in her career, just before she began to gain wider recognition at MGM.
- The production was typical of Columbia Pictures’ mid-1930s strategy of releasing efficient, lower-budget genre films with reliable contract players.
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