Murder Is My Business
Michael Shayne is a private detective who is disliked greatly by Pete Rafferty, local chief of police detectives. Rafferty notifies the newspaper press that he is going to close Shayne's agency, just as Michael is about to be hired by the wealthy Eleanor Ramsey, who is being blackmailed. She is the stepmother of what she considers to be two grown-up brats, Dorothy and Ernest, and she considers their father to be of little value to the world himself. They all conspire to get their hands on her money, even to the extent of attempting to hire Shayne to frame an insurance robbery. Mrs. Ramsey is murdered, and Rafferty is trying to pin the killing on Shayne, despite the fact that suspicion points to Buell Renslow, brother of the slain woman. Shayne's secretary, the fetching Phyllis Hamilton, decides to do a little detective work to help her boss.
Insights
Plot Summary
Private detective Michael Shayne is hired by a wealthy businessman to investigate a series of blackmail attempts. Shayne soon finds himself embroiled in a complex case involving murder, deceit, and a dangerous femme fatale. As he delves deeper, he uncovers a conspiracy that puts his own life at risk.
Critical Reception
Murder Is My Business is a moderately well-received B-movie from the film noir era, often praised for its brisk pacing and classic detective tropes, though some critics found its plot somewhat convoluted. It's considered a solid entry in the Michael Shayne series.
What Reviewers Say
- Appreciated for its engaging, fast-paced noir atmosphere.
- Michael Shayne's character is a typical hard-boiled detective.
- The plot is intricate, sometimes bordering on confusing.
Google audience: Audience reception is not widely documented for this older film, but typical comments for similar B-noir films often highlight their atmospheric qualities and straightforward detective plots.
Fun Fact
This film is part of the Michael Shayne film series, based on the fictional private detective created by Brett Halliday.
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