In many ways, "Fast Company" seems like a thinly veiled Thin Man sort of movie...and why not? After all, this MGM pairing was adored by the public and made a lot of money...so why not try this sort of formula with other MGM actors? And, of all the Thin Man-style films, this is among the most enjoyable.
Joel (Melvyn Douglas) and Garda (Florence Rice) are a very enjoyable married couple to watch. Unlike most Post-Code couples, these two adore each other and the sexual chemistry and energy is definitely there....something that was also a strength in the Thin Man films. They operate a rare book business and much of their money is made tracking down stolen and faked books. One case they'd been working on involved poor Ned...a guy sent to prison because he supposedly stole some rare books from his employer who was also his father-in- law (Goerge Zucco)! Joel is out to find the books and trace their trail, as he's pretty sure the owner actually sold them and claimed they were stolen because he hated Ned and thought he'd be a perfect patsy for his crime...as, after all, the books were also heavily insured. I could say more...but you should just see the picture.
The best thing about this film is the great dialog. The writing was just spot on with this one and it sure helped that Melvyn Douglas was cast in this one because he had a delightful way with comedy...and although Rice is not especially famous, she was quite nice as well. Combined these elements with a decent story and you've got a real winner here--well worth seeing and just plain fun.
