Panic on the Air

Lew Ayres seems to be doing an imitation of Robert Montgomery (although his energy level is considerably higher and his accent seems more genuine) in this stolid but decent Columbia second feature about a radio reporter tracking down a murderer through a forged five dollar bill The script is full of fast talk and wise cracks and that's a major plus, but the near-procedural techniques of the crime-solving give this movie too straightforward a story line to keep up interest.

In addition, the print shown on TCM seems to be a bit dupy for the first two reels, distracting attention from what is going on: the men's suits all look black and the walls and furnishings very light in shade.