The Crime Smasher (Monogram) (1943)

"Cosmo Jones’’ Introduced As Sleuth in Thrilling Film (Review) There is a wealth of dramatic action in ‘‘Cosmo Jones in the Monogram detective comedy 299 ‘The Crime Smasher’, drama which opened at the and the picture qualifies as a thoroughly entertaining film. Richard Cromwell, Gale Storm and Edgar Kennedy play important roles in this suspense-¥* filled murder mystery, but the picture is especially interesting in that it marks the screen debut of Frank Graham, who created the role of Cosmo Jones and has enacted it each week for the past three years in radio playlets over the Columbia Broadcasting System. Graham’s first appearance in motion pictures is completely successful, and the eccentric character introduced constitutes a new type of screen detective. The ability of the other three featured players is well known, and all play their parts in a manner to sustain their popularity. The film’s excellent cast also includes Gwen Kenyon, Mantan Moreland, Tristram Coffin, Herbert Rawlinson and many others. Murder, kidnapping and gunplay are ingredients of the thrilling story, | ; and the odd little detective finds himself confronted by desperate situations as he attempts to unravel the mystery brought about by the rivalries of outlaw gangs. There are moments of comedy as the story progresses, but its main theme is one of swiftly-moving excitement. Director James Tinling has contributed importantly to the success of the picture, as has Lindsley Parsons in his capacity of producer. The same may be said of Walter Gering, author of the story, and Michael L. Simmons ,who wrote the screen adaptation. Mack Stengler’s photography is first-class. ODD JOBBER A long succession of odd jobs preceded the theatrical debut of Frank Graham, coming to the theatre on in “Cosmo Jones in “The Crime Smasher’,’ Monogram’s detective comedy-drama in which he is featured with Richard Cromwell, Gale Storm and Edgar Kennedy. Graham’s varied endeavors as a youth found him selling newspapers, delivering a rural paper route, doing janitor work in office buildings, washing windows in a hotel, serving as a night watchman, washing dishes, operating a telephone switchboard and acting as head of the stockroom of a_ five-and-ten-cent store. Prize-Fighting Champion Fought For Screen Debut Edgar Kennedy literally had to * fight his way into motion pictures. The screen’s famous exponent of the “slow burn’? comes to the Wi2t) Deo eas tate theatre:on aces i Jen “Cosmo: ‘Jones in: s"The*< Crime Smasher’,’ the Monogram murder mystery comedy-drama in which he is featured with Frank Graham, Gale Storm and Richard Cromwell. Shortly after he had finished school in California, Kennedy became a_ professional boxer, and made rapid progress as a fisticuffer. By 1911 he had become heavyweight champion of the Pacific Coast, and met every outstanding pugilist from Jack Dempsey down. Eventually responding to a_ theatrical urge, Kennedy joined Ferris Hartman’s light opera company in Los Angeles as an actor, and spent four years in musical comedy and vaudeville. Tiring of constant travel, he decided to try his hand at motion pictures, and applied at the Mack Sennett studio. When an attache asked him, rath theatre last night, COMEDY TEAM Frank Graham as Cosmo Jones, and Mantan Moreland, his colored aide, appear in “The Crime Smasher” at Theatre. One Col. Scene Mat No. 4 KEYSTONE KOP Edgar Kennedy, famous as the screen’s leading exponent of the “slow burn,’ was one of Mack Sennett’s original Keystone Kops, and in six years with the organization served as both actor and director. Kennedy comes to the .......... theatre on in “Cosmo Jones in “The Crime Smasher’,” the Monogram murder mystery comedydrama in which he is featured with Frank Graham, Gale Storm and Richard Cromwell. CONTEST WINNER The “Gateway to Hollywood” contest, sponsored by Jesse L. Lasky, first brought Gale Storm to Hollywood from the town of Bloomington, Texas, and launched her on a career which is bringing her a constantly widening circle of admirers. Miss Storm comes to the GHEATRE: 10M een eens in “Cosmo Jones in ‘The Crime Smasher’,” Monogram’s murder mystery comedy-drama in which she is featured with Frank Graham, _ Richard Cromwell and Edgar Kennedy. er superciliously, what he could do, Kennedy stoutly replied that he could lick any man in the studio. Thereupon he was invited to call again the next morning. Reporting at the gate as directed, the erstwhile prize fighter was confronted by a large group of the huskiest property men, grips and carters on the payroll, who suggested that he demonstrate his vaunted prowess. Kennedy did. Taking on the entire reception committee, he laid it on so heavily that the decimated ranks of studio huskies soon retreated in disorder, and Mack Sennett promptly engaged him as one of the original Keystone Kops. The subsequent six years with Sennett launched him on a career aS one of Hollywood’s most sought after comedians. “Cosmo Jones in ‘The Crime Smasher’” was directed by James Tinling, and produced by Lindsley Parsons. The screenplay by Michael L. Simmons was adapted from an original story by Walter Gering. /yon, Mantan BRIEF BIOGS |Long Radio Detour Brings Actor From Stage to Films Frank Graham took the long way around in his progress toward the motion picture screen. Almost a decade inter FRANK GRAHAM ... ‘Man of many voices” who for the past three years has played all the parts in the “Cosmo Jones” radio plays over the network of the Columbia Broadcasting System ...a widely known character as the star of “Riot Squad.” RICHARD CROMWELL... Popular young leading man who has built up a definite following among theairegoers... last appeared for Monogram as the star of “Riot Squad.” GGALE STORM ... Little Monogram starlet who is going great guns, and fast increasing her circle of admirers... has done fine work in “Lure of the Islands,” “Rhythm Parade” and other pictures. Cosmo Jones Was Radio's Famous One-Man Show When an actor plays all the parts in a series of playlets, extending over a period of three years—that’s versatility. Such is the accomplishment of Frank Graham, who has been not only the star but the entire cast of the CBS radio broadcasts detailing the adventures of the eccentric little detective, Cosmo Jones, and now brings his creation to the screen in the Monogram comedydrama, “Cosmo Jones in ‘The Crime Smasher.’’’ Varying his radio custom, Graham plays only the title role in his film debut, and is featured with Richard Cromwell, Gale Storm and Edgar Kennedy. Recognized as one of America’s leading protean artists, Graham in his broadcasts has never played less than five roles in his 15-minute sketches, and on occasion has played as high as 12, all with entire change of voice and inflection. The secret lies in the fact that for seyeral years prior to becoming a oneman show, Graham played innumerable . widely diversified radio character parts. “But I don’t mind ° admitting,’ confesses Graham, “that this sort of a life keeps one very, very busy.” The protean star’s first picture was directed by James Tinling and produced by Lindsley Parsons, and the cast also includes Gwen KenMoreland, Tristram Coffin and Herbert Rawlinson. The original story by Walter Gering was adapted for the screen by Michael L. Simmons. vened between his leaving the in a film. Graham comes to the “Cosmo Jones in Monogram’s detective comedy-drama of the underworld in which he is featured with Richard Cromwell, Gale Storm and Edgar Kennedy. As a student in grammar school Graham began to take part in class theatrical activities, and_ later, four years of high school, appeared in 14 plays. As a result of the ex perience thus gained, he joined the Seattle Repertory Playhouse as an actor early in 1933. But in the same year he made his radio debut in a dramatic program on a local station, and it was this chance engagement which so strongly influenced his future career. Graham continued with the Repertory company’ until he had completed two years as a professional actor and then, acting on a sudden impulse, he went to Hollywood. in Smasher’,”’ in | Four days after he arrived in the| film capital, Graham was at work— not in motion pictures, but as announcer at a radio station. He has spent practically all the intervening eight years with the Columbia Broadcasting System, as announcer, “story teller’ and actor on various programs which were either transcontinental in scope or covered the Pacific network of the company. He had long engagements as narrator and actor, five times weekly, on such programs as “Nightcap Yarns” and “Armchair Adventures.” But for the past three years Graham’s unusual ability as a protean actor has had full scope in weekly broadcast playlets detailing the adventures of the eccentric detective, Cosmo Jones. Graham has played not only the title part, but every other role in the entire series, sometimes totalling as many as 12 distinca parts in a single play. It is this famous character which he now brings teo the screen in his motion picture debut. “Cosmo Jones in ‘The Crime Smasher’,’ in addition to the featured quartette of Graham, Cromwell, Miss Storm and Kennedy, also presents Gwen Kenyon, Mantan Moreland, Tristram Coffin, Herbert Rawlinson and many others. James Tinling directed for producer Lindsley Parsons, and the original story by Walter Gering was adapted by Michael L. Simmons. BUY U.S. WAR BONDS! | RADIO THRILLER REACHES FILMS | Cosmo Jones, detective character known to radio’s millions, appears at the Theatre in “The Crime Smasher.” Frank Graham play ing the sleuth, is aided by Herb Rawlinson and Gwen Kenyon. Two Col. Scene MatNo. 21 ‘The Crime¥ stage and his first appearance SLOW BURNER Edgar Kennedy has a typical com;edy role in “Cosmo Jones in The Crime Smasher,” which introduces famed radio sleuth at the Theatre. One Col. Scene Mat No. 3 He Made Stardom eee ee er seer In First Film Try Richard Cromwell made an auspicious debut in motion pictures, since his first part was the title role in “Tol’able David,’ made famous by Richard Barthelmess in the era of silent films. Cromwell comes to the theatre: ON Pez. eee in “Cosmo Jones in ‘The Crime Smasher’,’ the Monogram murder mystery in which he is featured with Frank Graham, Gale Storm and Edgar Kennedy. VOCAL DETOUR The earliest childhood ambition of Gale Storm was to be a choir singer, and this led to vocal study which eventually brought her recognition in a different singing field. Hollywood experts agree that she has no superiors in “putting over” a popular song. The talented Miss Storm. comes ‘tothe: on. tse theatre on featured with Frank Graham, Richard Cromwell and Edgar Kennedy in the Monogram mystery, “Cosmo Jones in ‘The Crime Smasher’.” Comic Adds Fun To Mystery A negro screen comedian whose popularity is spreading swiftly is Mantan Moreland, who comes to the theatre on in “Cosmo Jones in ‘The Crime Smasher’,”’ the Monogram murder mystery comedy-drama featuring Frank Graham, Richard Cromwell, Gale Storm and Edgar Kennedy. Prior to his entry into motion pictures, Moreland was a_ favorite song and dance man of the New York stage, appearing in such musical comedies as “Shuffle Along,” “Singing the Blues” and “Blackbirds of 1928.” He made his film debut in 1938, when he went to |Hollywood to play an _ important irole with Joe Louis in the all-negro picture, “Spirit of Youth.” In “Cosmo Jones in ‘The Crime Smasher’” Moreland plays the role of a reporter who assists in the search for a murderer, and almost scares himself to death in the process. Other roles are in the hands of Gwen Kenyon, Tristram Coffin and Herbert Rawlinson. James Tinling directed for producer Lindsley Parsons, and Michael L. Simmons adapted the original story by Walter Gering. “