''Charlie McCarthy, Detective'' is a 1939 American comedy film starring

Edgar Bergen Edgar John Bergen (né Berggren; February 16, 1903 – September 30, 1978) was an American ventriloquist, comedian, actor, vaudevillian and radio performer. He was best known for his characters Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snerd. Bergen ...

Charlie McCarthy Charlie McCarthy was a dummy partner of American ventriloquist Edgar Bergen. Charlie was part of Bergen's act as early as high school, and by 1930 was attired in a top hat, tuxedo and monocle. The character was so well known that his popularity ex ...

and

Robert Cummings Charles Clarence Robert Orville Cummings (June 9, 1910 – December 2, 1990) was an American film and television actor who appeared in roles in comedy films such as ''The Devil and Miss Jones'' (1941) and ''Princess O'Rourke'' (1943), and in d ...

Plot

Scotty Hamilton is a reporter who works for a crooked editor. Bill Banning is another reporter who is about to expose the editor's ties to the mob. When the editor is killed, both reporter Banning and mobster Tony Garcia are suspected. However, Hamilton's friend Edgar Bergen solves the case (''without much help from Charlie McCarthy'').

Cast

Uncredited

Production

The film was announced in June 1938. It was the second movie Bergen made for Universal following ''Letter of Introduction''. Bob Cummings was assigned in October 1939. Filming took place from November to December 1939.

Reception

The ''New York Times'' called it "a nondescript omlette". ''Variety'' wrote "whatever box office reaction" the film "is able to generate depends on the ability of Edgar Bergen and his wooden stooge to carry this inadequate script and inept direction. Picture will have to struggle as top half of the dualers. It won't assist the screen progress of Bergen and his pal."

References

External links

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''Charlie McCarthy, Detective''
at the

British Film Institute The British Film Institute (BFI) is a film and television charitable organisation which promotes and preserves filmmaking and television in the United Kingdom. The BFI uses funds provided by the National Lottery to encourage film production, ...

{{Frank Tuttle 1939 films American comedy films Films directed by Frank Tuttle 1939 comedy films 1930s English-language films 1930s American films