I TAKE THIS OATH/ POLICE ROOKIE

US, 1940, 66 minutes, Black-and-white.
Gordon Jones, Joyce Compton, Craig Reynolds, J.Farrell Mac Donald, Veda Ann Borg, Mary Gordon, Robert Homans.
Directed by Sam Newfield (as Sherman Scott)

Initially this film focuses on a court case, the jury discussion, and can exasperated policeman finding that a not guilty verdict has been given. He asks for permission to go on leave and to investigate privately. He is played by Robert Homans – and some engaging home sequences with his wife, played by Mary Gordon.

The policeman does the rounds, acquiring more information, telling his immediate superior that he is close to identifying the criminal. After a meal at home, he is blown up in his car.

His son, Steve (Gordon Jones) has resisted becoming a policeman but the death of his father persuades him to do the entry exams and he qualifies. While he attends a lot of classes, he begins to get more information and continues investigating. His best friend, Joe Kelly (Craig Reynolds) does not qualify and is asked by Steve to look after his girlfriend, Betty (Joyce Compton) whose father is in charge of Steve and threatens him because of his failure to turn up to classes.

His mother then gives Steve a little book that she had found in her husband’s coat. Steve pursues the clues, get information about a name in the book, goes to visit a club where he is proprietor, being waylaid by one of the hostesses at the club.

At one stage, Steve and Joe are driving and are run off the road and crash.

Finally, there is a revelation, corrupt police and official, leading to confrontation, guns, Joe being accidentally killed, reconciling with Steve who had been suspicious about seeing his behaviour with Betty.

A small, competent, police thriller investigation.