Fast Company / Fast and Loose / Fast and Furious

M-G-M sought to have the "Thin Man" lightning strike twice with these sprightly "B" mysteries based on Harry Kurnitz's rare-book dealers and part-time sleuths Joel and Garda Sloane. When a rival bibliophile turns up murdered, the Sloanes (Melvyn Douglas, Florence Rice) look to dog-ear the killer, in "Fast Company." Louis Calhern, Shepperd Strudwick co-star. Joel and Garda (Robert Montgomery, Rosalind Russell) are on the spot when the owner of a Shakespeare manuscript is slain, in "Fast and Loose." Reginald Owen, Ralph Morgan co-star. A shore vacation leads to the Sloanes (Franchot Tone, Ann Sothern) having to pin down the murderer of a beauty contest promoter, in "Fast and Furious." Ruth Hussey, Lee Bowman co-star; directed by Busby Berkeley. 3 3/4 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.