The Amazing Mr. Williams

The Amazing Mr. Williams (1940)

Genres - Mystery, Drama  |   Sub-Genres - Detective Film  |   Release Date - Nov 22, 1939 (USA - Unknown), Nov 22, 1939 (USA)  |   Run Time - 80 min.  |   Countries - United States  |   MPAA Rating - NR
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Review by Craig Butler

Viewers looking for a pleasant comedy that isn't overexposed should search out The Amazing Mr. Williams, one of the many attempts from the 1930s and 1940s to find a new Thin Man variation. Williams is not as good as Thin Man and didn't lead to a series of films, but it's quite an agreeable and entertaining little flick. The screenplay, though it goes on a bit too long, is good fun, with a number of fine set pieces, amusing dialogue and characters that, while not terribly deep, are enjoyable to pass the time with. Alexander Hall's direction is crisp and economical, giving the film a nice pace and playing up both its comedy and mystery aspects to good effect. But Williams really works because of its stars, Melvyn Douglas and Joan Blondell, paired here for the third time. The two have a definite chemistry, and there's a fine spark when they are onscreen together. Douglas employs his special light comedy charms to good effect here, and no one can beat Blondell when she's handed a wisecrack. Throw in a nifty supporting cast, and the result is a lovely way to spend an hour and a half.