For the first time since their marriage, Nick and Nora Charles head to Nick’s hometown to visit with his parents for a birthday vacation. Nick still chafes at his father’s disapproval of his decision to forgo medicine as a career, and Nora believes that a crime right there in Sycamore Springs will give Nick a chance to prove his mettle and win his father’s accolades. She leads the press to believe Nick is in town on a case, and then things really start to move when a young man falls dead, murdered, on the doorstep of the Charles home. A moderate number of suspects, including a local magnate, a couple people after a painting by the dead man, and more, help to add complications as Nick makes his way through the investigation. I made my choice early on and was proved right. Old favorite Edward Brophy is on hand as a reformed character selling greeting cards, and fans of Columbia’s Boston Blackie movies will recognize Lloyd Corrigan as Nick’s former schoolmate, among several familiar faces. Plenty of fun.

  Recommended. Otto finds this one pleasing enough to relax.

Movie 2 for 2021.