It behooves one to watch movies we stumble upon only by chance, and movies we've never heard of before. Whether good or bad, the viewing experience is at least likely to be an interesting one. This 1940 picture is definitely that at the outset, as within the first five minutes the writing inadvertently expresses toxic masculinity and white privilege. Gratifyingly, even early on it also shows itself to bear no small measure of wit as delivery boy Jimmy latches onto some questionable doodad of pop science (in this case, the debunked hokum of graphology) and thinks it's some great revelation, subsequently endeavors to play the part of a matchmaker, and gets involved in further shenanigans thereafter. I don't think this is perfect or essential; the plot seems a tad unwieldy and unsteady, especially at the steady clip the film maintains like no few of its contemporaries, and I'm not sold on how Mantan Moreland's sole black character is written. Howard Bretherton's direction also seems too brusque for its own good. Still, 'Chasing trouble' wants only to entertain, and in one measure or another it quite ably does just that.
Bretherton's direction is imperfect, and Mary McCarthy's screenplay unpolished with a lot of corners being cut (especially in the back end), but the foundation is solid and ripe for an earnest thriller, possibly film noir, or in this case a thriller-comedy. There's nothing about the feature that's specifically striking or grabbing; the tone is light and passive, and when all is said and done this doesn't leave a major impression. Jimmy as a character is flush with high energy and misguided spunk, and Frankie Darro wholly embraces that vigor in his performance; Susie, as the primary female supporting character, falls prey to all too common tropes in that capacity, but still bears some pluck of her own, and Marjorie Reynolds brings just the right blend of personality in her acting. And so on, and so on. The story is fine in and of itself, and the scene writing and plot development do the best they can to help keep the proceedings level. Though less remarkable, I appreciate the work that went into the sets, costume design, cinematography, and all other facets of the production. Broadly speaking the flick falls into that category of fare from the 30s and 40s that's serviceable but a smidgen bland, yet even at that it's arguably a small cut above some of its brethren.
It's lightweight and less than absolutely compelling, overly and naively enthusiastic about cultural institutions like cops or the Boy Scouts, and is marked with little indelicacies that haven't necessarily aged well (e.g., a passing line of casual jingoism as a character orders a drink). One should also know full well in advance that Carl Pierson's editing leaves a lot to be desired. Nonetheless the title remains enjoyable, and is duly well made despite being decidedly rough around the edges. A bit of comedy, some thriller vibes, a tinge of action or general urgency to punctuate certain beats: 'Chasing trouble' is no revelation, but there's no rule that says every piece needs to be, and all told I think this is good enough just as it is. Don't go out of your way for it, and be aware of its faults and weaknesses, but if you have the chance to watch this this a suitably fun way to pass an hour.
