HERE'S FLASH CASEY

Cinemavixion Review

Released in 1938, "Here's Flash Casey" is a briskly paced melodrama that plunges viewers into the competitive world of newspaper photography and the shadowy underbelly of blackmail. Directed by Lynn Shores, the film stars Eric Linden as the titular Flash Casey, an ambitious photographer eager to make his mark at the Globe Press. His aspirations are complicated by a budding romance with newspaper woman Kay Lanning (played by Boots Mallory) and a dangerous entanglement with a criminal ring that uses photographic development as a front for extortion. The narrative, as detailed in both the local description and the richer plot summary from external sources, unfolds with a classic noir sensibility. Casey's initial struggles to gain recognition are soon overshadowed by his discovery of a blackmail operation targeting socialites through manipulated photographs. The plot thickens when Kay is kidnapped, forcing Casey to confront the culprits and utilize his skills to rescue her. The film effectively blends elements of action, drama, and romance, offering a compelling, albeit melodramatic, look at the era's journalistic landscape and the perils faced by those who dare to expose scandal. While perhaps not a landmark achievement in cinema, "Here's Flash Casey" remains an engaging watch, particularly for its snapshot of 1930s urban intrigue and its earnest performances.