FRONT PAGE DETECTIVE: MURDER CAN'T WIN

Front Page Detective was a half-hour show from the Dumont Network that ran from July 6, 1951, to September 19, 1952, and then again for the months of October and November 1953.  Maybe.  Some things can get pretty obscure when we're talking about the Dumont Network.  Front Page Detective had 39 or perhaps 46 episodes.  It may or may not have gone into syndication with original programs or with repeats.

What we do know is the show got it's title from the true crime magazine that ran from August 1936 to September 1995.  How much of the television show is actually based on stories from the magazine is anyone's guess.  My guess is little to none.

Edmund Lowe starred in the series as David Chase, a newspaper columnist and amateur detective who helps police solve whatever mystery popped up that week.  Early shows in the series also featured Paula Drew as Chase's girlfriend Sharon Richards and Frank Jenks as Lt. Herman Rodney; George Pembroke had a recurring role as Inspector Andrews.  None of these co-stars appear in "Murder Can't Win,' which aired on September 7, 1951 -- the 22nd episode in the series.

David Chase is on vacation in Los Angeles and is a guest of "civic leader and political big shot" Reilly Jarbo (Lyle Talbot) in Jarbo's private box at the race track when he spies a man (George Barry, played by Al Eben) striking a girl (Gloria Barlowe, played by Dani Sue Nolan) -- something that does not sit well with out hero so he steps in.  Later that day, Chase is walking around the stables when he comes across Gloria, gun in hand and standing over the body of Barry.  Surely the pretty girl did not do it, but who did?

Rounding out the cast as Edward Foster as Benny Cuba, Lennie Bremen as Willie Valentine, and Brooke Hathaway as Trixie Tremaine.  And if you're thinking these are great character names, I think that prolific pulp writer and creator of Dan Turner, Hollywood Detective, Robert Leslie Bellam can take the credit.  "Murder Can't win" was one of at least six episodes in the series that Bellam wrote, this one with occasional writing partner Herbert Moulton.)  The episode (and the entire series) was directed by Arnold Wester.

Enjoy.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3g1f6ldF0o