User reviews

The movie is based on the book of the same name by Craig Rice, who was a popular mystery writer in her time. This movie is a pretty faithful adaption of the book and is somewhat autobiographical. Marian Carstairs (played by the underrated Lynn Bari) is a widow who writes mystery books featuring Detective Bill Smith as the protagonist. Her three children (Dinah, the eldest, April, and Archie, the youngest who is bossed around by his sisters and rightly resents it). Even so, the banter between the youngsters and their obvious fondness for each other and their mother is refreshing. When a murder happens in their neighborhood, the siblings decide they need to solve it and make sure their mother gets the credit for doing so and in that way she will get a lot of publicity for her books. Leading the murder investigation is a detective coincidentally named "Bill Smith," nicely played by Randolph Scott. Smith's partner, Sgt. O'Hare (played by the always excellent James Gleason) is continually frustrated by the youngsters' antics. In their effort to solve the mystery for their mother and to protect the husband of the victim from being accused of the murder, the children come up with the harebrained and potentially dangerous idea of giving the police untrue information. They also come up with the idea that Lt. Smith would be a good beau for their mother. This really isn't much of a mystery as it's easy to figure out who the murderer is but it is a delightful and highly entertaining movie. The siblings, played by Peggy Ann Garner, Connie Marshall, and Dean Stockwell work wonderfully well together and are a highlight of this movie. This movie has one of the best introductory credits I've ever seen. A group is singing a sedate "Home Sweet Home." The rendition is interrupted by screaming and other murderous sounds. It's hilarious. For those interested in Craig Rice, Jeffrey Marks has written an excellent biography of her entitled "Who was that lady? Craig Rice: queen of the screwball comedy."

--From upstairs in the big old stucco house they could hear the faint purr of a typewriter, working at top speed. Marian Carstairs, alias Clark Cameron, alias Andrew Thorpe, alias J.J. Lane, was finishing another mystery novel. When it was done, she would take a day off to have her hair shampooed and to buy presents for the young Carstairs. She would take them extravagantly out to dinner and to the best show in town. Then the next morning she would begin writing another mystery novel.

That's from Craig Rice's first-rate mystery novel, Home Sweet Homicide. In the first-rate movie made from the book, the young Carstairs are Dinah, played by 14-year-old Peggy Ann Garner; April, played by 11-year-old Connie Marshall; and Archie, played by 10-year-old Dean Stockwell. The three kids are smart, capable and resourceful. They pretty much run the house while their mother, played by Lynn Bari, cranks out three or four mysteries a year to pay the bills. The kids know how to clean the house, cook a turkey and keep relatively quiet while their mother, a widow, works upstairs. They also know, so they think, all about murders, police work and how to solve a crime. After all, their mother does it all the time. When one afternoon on the way to the malt shop they hear two gunshots and then find out the wife of a neighbor has been killed, they decide to do several things. They're going to protect the murdered woman's husband, the primary suspect, because they think he's innocent. They're going to keep one step ahead of the police so they can solve the crime and get some good publicity for their mother. And after meeting homicide detective Bill Smith, a tall and handsome cop played by Randolph Scott, they decide to become matchmakers for their mom. "You're a nervy bunch of kids," says one suspect, and he's right. Along the way there will be another murder, blackmail, a deadly intruder in the Carstairs' home and a mysterious Manila envelope, which holds secrets and just possibly the solution.

Home Sweet Homicide may not be a major classic, but it certainly is a charming minor classic. By stretching the definition of "noir" just a little, it becomes a satisfying first...a family noir. There may be no hopeless heroes, but there are a lot of dark staircases, shadowy silhouettes of a hand holding a pistol and creepy clubhouses. There's also a large pet turtle, something most conventional noirs don't have.

As attractive as Lynn Bari and Randolph Scott are as the two lead adults, the movie's success rests on other elements. First is the cleverness and charm of Craig Rice's book. It still holds up as a good read. (I know; I still have my copy with yellowing pages.) Rice was hired as the story consultant for the film so that she could keep an eye on the screenplay. It is largely true to the book with one major exception, often crackles with good, fast lines, and the murderer is well disguised. Second are the performances of the three child actors. Garner, Marshall and Stockwell all do fine, natural jobs. Sure, there's some cuteness, but it's character-based and not a product of self-conscious child acting. The kids may be precocious, but it's not irritating. And they know what they're doing when it comes to roasting a turkey.

Peggy Ann Garner gets top billing, followed by Scott and Bari. Although Bari never was able to break out of B movies in starring roles, she makes a great mother here. Bari was a terrific looker, a skilled actress and had one of the sexiest voices in Hollywood. As odd as it might seem, the author Craig Rice, who was a major mystery writer, put a lot of her own life into the story. There's a glamour shot of Rice you can find on the net; she looks a little like Bari.

Oh, yeah, that Million Dollar Movie...my brothers and I adored watching the same movie all week long. Damn Yankees, No Time for Sergeants, <sigh>. You got so you could recite the dialogue along with the actors. That must have been where we saw this movie too, because I remember it clearly, though I haven't seen it for decades. I loved it, and of course saw it from the kids' viewpoint. (Dean Stockwell, Al of Quantum Leap fame, is one of my favorite actors - wonderful in The Boy with the Green Hair and so versatile.) The remarks about Peggy Ann Garner by another enthusiast are interesting and I loved Junior Miss as well (movie & book). Yep, this is one that should be on DVD, definitely. EVERYTHING ON MILLION-DOLLAR MOVIE should be on DVD...

In the 1930s and 40s, Hollywood made a bazillion murder mystery films where non-professionals make themselves investigators and solve crimes better than the dopey police. Usually, these folks who solve crimes are reporters, but they could also be teachers, writers, or members of society among others. In the case of "Home, Sweet Homicide", they take this very common theme and stand it on its head.

Marian is a single-mother with three VERY precocious kids. She makes money writing mystery novels...and the kids see a recent murder as an opportunity for their mother to solve the crimes and thus increase sales of her books. Unfortunately, the police investigating AREN'T the usual stereotypically stupid cops...and one of them (Randolph Scott) is kind of cute...and single.

This is a cute film than manages to make a relatively dull genre and breathe a lot of life into it. The kids are cute and the story kept my interest.

Usually when a movie features a prominent child star, it fills the rest of the movie with grown-ups. One kid in front of the camera (with naptimes and an overbearing mother to contend with) is usually enough, and the box office draw wouldn't be enhanced with more tots in the credits. However, sometimes you'll find a movie with a bunch of kids as the leads, with the grown-ups as garnish. In Home, Sweet Homicide, three siblings take over the main plot as they try to solve a murder.

Peggy Ann Gardner, Connie Marshall, and Dean Stockwell (all recipients of the Hot Toasty Rag Juvenile awards) are children of Lynn Bari, a novelist. Lynn is busy working on her latest mystery on the page, and as she "neglects" her kids, they discover a real mystery down the street. Even though police detectives Randolph Scott and James Gleason are called on the scene, the kids are determined to help figure out the identity of the murderer.

This is a cute family flick that truly will be fun for all ages. Dean Stockwell is just as cute as can be, Peggy Ann Gardner can draw in the teenagers who think they're smarter than the grown-ups, and the adult detectives provide comic relief for the taller folks in the audience.

I saw this movie many times when I was a teenager. I keep hoping to see it on video or late night TV. Dean Stockwell was very good as well as all the children. Great Family movie and I can still recite some of the lines from the movie and I have not seen it in over 30 years.

Lynn Bari is the widowed mother of three children: Peggy Ann Garner, Connie Marshall, and Dean Stockwell. She supports them by writing mystery novels about a private detective named Bill Smith. She is trying to finish her 28th, and the children are smart and considerate.... and when a murder is committed next door, they figure that if she solves the mystery before the police, it will be terrific publicity. Enter the homicide detectives: James Gleason, as the sergeant, and Randolph Scott as his lieutenant, named "Bill Smith" in this movie.

It's an adroit mixture of cute kids, traditional mystery and self-aware humor, originally from the pen of Craig Rice, well acted by everyone on hand. Director Lloyd Bacon had switched from his long-time home base at Warner Brothers a couple of years earlier, without missing a beat. Scott was appearing in his penultimate non-western role, although he would make almost forty more movies. Miss Bari -- heralded as "The Woo Woo Girl" during the War -- was in the middle of a 134-feature movie career that stretched from 1933 through 1968 but never got her out of the B ranks for more than a picture or two. Well, the breakthrough to "star" is often a matter of mysterious chemistry and the right role.

Some people may find this a trifle contrived and sticky-sweet for their tastes. I think of it as a nice change-of-pace from dark noirs and serious dramas.

The last film that Randolph Scott did in modern dress was this film where he plays a homicide detective and he and Lynn Bari support the juvenile cast of Peggy Ann Garner, Connie Marshall, and Dean Stockwell. The three kids are the show and they work, sometimes at cross purposes to solve the homicide of neighbor Sheppard Strudwick's wife.

The murderer has worked out a very clever sound alibi for the time of the victim's death. But it's soon broken up and it's Stockwell's pet turtle who trips up the culprit and I do mean literally.

Lynn Bari is a mystery writer and a widow of a war correspondent who has settled down to domestic bliss such as it is with three lively kids. Said kids feel she needs some romance. And if you write mysteries what better than to have a policeman ready for a consultation.

Some years ago I panned a rather well received screwball comedy from the 30s, The Mad Miss Manton. In that one Barbara Stanwyck plays a madcap heiress who interferes in police business. But here at least these are kids and not mature, but among other things they hide a suspect, tamper with evidence, withhold evidence. That strains the credulity of the audience somewhat.

But as they are kids their actions are somewhat forgivable and Home Sweet Homicide is still a good film for family viewing.

The children were magnificent in this movie. They acted like most siblings do, but are there for each other when needed. Good suspense.

I remember seeing this movie on the Million Dollar Movie. I think my sister and I saw it every night and day that it showed. On the weekend it was on several times a day. It was one of our favorite movies. We have been trying to find out if it is on video or who owns the rights to it. I dont understand, why it has not been on T.V. I think it was a real classic and would really like a video of this, or at least find out if it will be shown on T.V. at all, and when. If you have any idea who we can contact please, someone let me know. My sister and I enjoyed this movie and talk about it all the time. We would appreciate any help we can get in locating this film.

This very amusing mystery/comedy/romance is built on the trick of giving adult dialogue to children, but the cast and director Lloyd Bacon bring it off perfectly. I don't suppose Randolph Scott was too happy about taking second billing behind 14 year-old Peggy Ann Garner. But it doesn't sour his performance as a police investigator, who is very much taken with Lynn Bari, the widowed mother of three kids. Garner, Connie Marshall, and a very young Dean Stockwell are key witnesses to a murder, which they're determined to unravel, seeing as how their mother is a mystery writer who hatches tougher plots than this one all day long. A genuinely great script by F. Hugh Herbert.

Love this film. It's lighter than air as well as fun.

Marian Carstairs (Lynn Bari) is the author of 28 mystery books featuring a detective, Bill Smith. Marion is a widow with thee children, played by Peggy Ann Garner, Connie Marshall, and Dean Stockwell.

Naturally there is nothing they don't know about murder, detective work, and police terminology. Also, since their mom writes about a detective solving murders the police cannot, they neither like nor trust the police.

When a neighborhood shooting occurs, the kids hear the shots and make note of the time. A police detective (Randolph Scott) actually named Bill Smith and his partner (James Gleason) question them, but they don't give the real time, thus clearing one of the suspects (Sheppard Strudwick).

Why? Well, the kids want their mom to have the publicity for solving the murder. They also hide the main suspect.

While they're at it they write anonymous notes to the police after they find evidence.

I found this movie highly entertaining, but this review is a valentine to Dean Stockwell. He is funny and adorable. I have always loved him, but when you realize the wonderful transition he made to teen roles, leading man roles, and finally character roles, you appreciate him even more.

I'll leave you with his favorite word in the film: "Phenobarbital!"

Very enjoyable, a number of subtle visual jokes (note the turtle that Dean Stockwell has in one scene). Wish it was on videotape.

James Gleason goes on about how he knows how to handle kids because he has six, but it's clear he doesn't, and as a result Lynn Bari's kids solve the mystery where the police can't.

Book also good, even harder to find.

Saw H,SH when I was 13 and remember it as the first movie I felt like an 'adult'; ie understood the sultultes.. Now at 85 I want to see it again.

Please somebody?

Innocent, breezy fun. An above-average little comedy-mystery that has nice pace, enjoyable characters, clever lines for the lead children (who hold up this film) and enough whodunit twists and turns with its central murder plot to sustain interest. I had the delightful chance of doing the stage version of "Home, Sweet Homicide" in my 9th grade high school play back in 1964, debuting in the scene-stealing Dean Stockwell role of "Archie." I turned from chicken to ham immediately with the audience response I received and it sparked a life-long interest in acting.

Peggy Ann Garner, Connie Marshall and especially young Stockwell are thoroughly delightful and play off each other very well as adolescent amateur sleuths itching to solve a neighborhood murder. While throwing the police off with errant clues in the hopes of crediting their widowed, crime-story-writing mother (a centered Lynn Bari) for catching the culprit, the siblings are also in cahoots together as they scheme to match their busy mother up romantically with the handsome investigator (a rather staid Randolph Scott) assigned to the case.

Teenage Barbara Whiting, who was such a hit in the 1945 "Junior Miss" film, is again in droll support to young Peggy Ann Garner a year later here playing a school friend. Veteran James Gleason as Scott's grousing co-investigator is also a standout. While the budget may be strictly "B" fare, this nice little programmer nevertheless rises above some of the supposed "A" level post-WWII comedies out there.

A simple, light-hearted and extremely satisfying time-filler, I noticed that fans of this film have not been able to find a copy of it. Here in North Hollywood California, I was able to go to Eddie Brandt's Saturday Matinée Store and rent it on VHS. They must have taped it off of TV. This store carries almost all of the oldies one way or another. Check them out on-line.

I thought this was an excellent movie! Great acting and a wonderful script. I am hoping that Turner Movie Classics will see fit to air this classic movie again! I read that Turner Movie Classics hold the rights to this movie, and from what I can see, it is not available in VHS or DVD. While this production is in black and white, it only adds to the suspense of the plot! We find a very "hot" detective, played by Randolf Scott, and three rather daring and smart children. They do not make movies like this anymore. I am hoping that Turner Classics will see fit to air this 1946 comedy thriller sometime soon. James Gleason who was also in Arsenic And Old Lace, is a sure hit in this film! Great character development, an entertaining plot, and a great story line, all combine to make this a sure hit... both then and now!

One of my Treasures. I was lucky enough to get a beautiful VHS off TV many years ago. I even got the "photoplay edition" of the book and had the dust-jacket photo copied to use as a cover for the tape. Also have a lobby card. The cast was exraordinary (I still have a crush on Connie Marshall) and I've become a huge Lynn Bari fan...I, too, keep hoping 20th Century Fox will put out a DVD...

I've seen this film a few times but it's been years and I'd kill to find a copy of it. It's tremendously charming. The kids are terrific -- led by the wonderful Peggy Ann Garner. A really enjoyable 'B' pic that is not available on video. If it turns up at all it's on the Late Late Show. Stay up for this one. You'll be glad you did.

As with the rest of you Home Sweet Homicide has been on my wish list for years. I too first saw this minor classic on New York's great Million Dollar Movie. Well good news all! While researching this title I discovered a site through Amazon that sells a public domain-ish VHS tape of Home Sweet Homicide. The quality is a little murky sometimes but it is most certainly watchable. The company I purchased it from is:

Life Is A Movie, 3639 Midway Drive, Suite B-326, San Diego, CA 92110-5254

Toll Free Telephone: 888-403-0873

Email: custserv@lifeisamovie.com

The total cost was $16.97

Enjoy!

I'm amazed that I am not alone. Enjoyed reading everyone's comments. Seems like we have similar memories of Million Dollar Movie. I, too, would love to see this "classic" on DVD or videotape. Wonder how that could happen. It would be a real crowd-pleaser. Still waiting to find it out there.

Cute story that combines comedy with mystery. The kids are great little actors, aren't they? But, phenobarbital!!!! What a shame that Barbara Whiting didn't have more scenes. She and Peggy Ann were such a great team in "Junior Miss" and I was hoping they'd be cast together in a similar way for this film. While this was a terrific movie and I enjoyed all 3 of the siblings, I think Hollywood shot itself in the foot by not using the Barbara-and-Peggy duo to its best advantage.