But it's more than just the classics--the Casablancas and the Bringing Up Babys--that I enjoy. I'm a fan of old movies in general, including the B-pictures and series: Charlie Chan, Sherlock Holmes, The Lone Wolf and today's subject Torchy Blane.
Warners Brothers issued the nine Torchy Blane titles. Warners Brothers movies are my favorites. For one thing, many feature Bette Davis. Also, Warners movies had a grit to them--a focus on the working man or woman.
Torchy was the quintessential working girl reporter. Smart and fearless, she fast-talked and wise-cracked her way through the case to solve it and scoop the other reporters. In her first scene in the first film, Smart Blonde,Torchy leaps onto the back of a train just to get an interview. What a gal!
In seven of the nine films, Glenda Farrell plays Torchy; she was perfectly cast. Her onscreen partner was Barton MacLane as her boyfriend, Police Lieutenant Steve McBride. Both appeared in Warner Brothers classics in minor parts, but it's a treat to see them as stars in their own series.
Lola Lane and Jane Wyman each play Torchy in one film. Neither is particularly successful. They lack Glenda's crackling energy and intensity.
Interesting trivia: Torchy was the inspiration for Lois Lane.
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