THE MAD MISS MANTON

US, 1938, 80 minutes, Black and white.
Barbara Stanwyck, Henry Fonda, Sam Levene, Frances Mercer, Stanley Ridges, Hattie McDaniell?, Miles Mander.
Directed by Leigh Jason.

The Mad Miss Manton is a minor, second feature R.K.O. film of the late '30s. It draws together the madcap screwball comedy styles of the time with a murder mystery. It is brief, relies on the impact of its stars and the curiosity of the murders. It is also, in post Depression times, a criticism of the flighty and silly wealthy. Barbara Stanwyck is in her element as the socialite who sees a murder and whom the police will not believe. Henry Fonda is his usual self as the sceptical police officer. They were soon to appear to great advantage in Preston Sturges' The Lady Eve. Small, entertaining but a forgettable example of the style of filmmaking of the '30s.