This week’s mystery movie was the 1947 Republic picture The Flame, with John Carroll, Vera Ralston, Robert Paige, Broderick Crawford, Henry Travers, Blanche Yurka, Constance Dowling, Hattie McDaniel, Victor Sen Yung, Harry V. Cheshire, John Miljan, Garry Owen and Eddie Dunn.
Screenplay by Lawrence Kimble.
Based on a story by Robert T. Shannon.
Photography by Reggie Lanning.
Music by Heinz Roemheld.
Musical direction by Cy Feuer.
Sound by Victor B. Appel.
Art direction by Gan Chittenden.
Costume supervision by Adele Palmer.
Edited by Richard L. Van Enger.
Set decorations by John McCarthy Jr. and George Milo.
Special effects by Howard and Theodore Lydecker.
Makeup by Bob Mark.
Hairstyles by Peggy Gray.
Associate Producer-Director John H. Auer.
Further information on The Flame is available from the AFI Catalog.
The Flame has apparently never been released commercially, but you can find it on the gray market.
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I picked The Flame based on this review in Harrison’s Reports, which isn’t all that flattering, but made the film sound visually interesting – which it is. The plot isn’t terribly sensible, but overall the film is moody and that’s my expectation for a film noir – long on atmosphere and a bit short on plot.
I’m guessing one of the alphabet critics hated The Flame, if The New York Times bothered to review it.
Reviewed by the unknown HHT (who also reviewed Watusi), who hated it (Feb. 20, 1948):
The sole distinction of The Flame, a rambling, inept bit of claptrap which sidled into the Gotham yesterday, is the bleakly amusing fact that most of the performers seem either bored or amused with the whole thing. And no wonder. There is a grim, unimaginative, which-brother-do-I-love plot, centering on Vera Ralston.
As a bonus, here’s Hattie McDaniel.
For Monday, we have a mystery woman.
Update: This is Constance Dowling.
For “Tricky Tuesday,” we have a mysterious man in a hat.
Update: This is Broderick Crawford, who wears a trench coat and fedora for much of the movie.
Brain Trust roll call: Howard Mandelbaum (mystery movie and Monday’s mystery woman), Bob Hansen (Monday’s mystery woman), Sheila (Monday’s mystery woman) and Benito (Monday’s mystery woman).
For “Hm Wednesday,” we have a mysterious fellow.
The is Victor Sen Yung
Brain Trust roll call: Sylvia E. (Tuesday’s mystery fellow), Mary Mallory (Tuesday’s mystery fellow), Mike Hawks (Monday’s and Tuesday’s mystery guests), Blackwing Jenny (Tuesday’s mysterious fellow), Howard Mandelbaum (Tuesday’s mysterious fellow) and Sheila (Tuesday’s mystery fellow).
For “Aha Thursday,” we have a mysterious woman. She does not approve of such goings-on.
Update: This is Blanche Yurka.
We also have a mystery fellow who plays the organ.
Update: This is Robert Paige.
Brain Trust roll call: Howard Mandelbaum (Wednesday’s mystery fellow), Mary Mallory (mystery movie, Monday’s and Wednesday’s mystery guests), Anne Papineau (mystery movie and all mystery guests), Jenny M. (mystery movie and all mystery guests), Sylvia E. (mystery movie and all mystery guests), Mike Hawks (mystery movie and Wednesday’s mystery guest).
For Friday, here’s a better view of our “Tricky Tuesday” guest.
Update: Broderick Crawford, with trench coat and hat. Lamps of Noir, please note!!
And our mysterious leading man.
Update This is John Carroll.
Finally, our leading lady.
Update: This is Vera Ralston.
Brain Trust roll call: Benito (mystery movie and Wednesday’s mystery guest), Mary Mallory (Thursday’s mystery guests), Anne Papineau (Thursday’s mystery guests), Howard Mandelbaum (Thursday’s mystery guests), McDee (Tuesday’s mysterious fellow), Jenny M. (Thursday’s mystery guests), Mike Hawks (Thursday’s mystery guests), Sylvia E. (Thursday’s mystery guests, plus leading lady off screen) and Megan and Thom (mystery movie, Monday’s, Wednesday’s and Thursday’s mystery guests).
ladailymirror.com 
Constance Dowling in THE FLAME (1947).
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This could be Constance Dowling. Don’t know the movie though.
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Constance Dowling?
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Constance Dowling?
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She looks somewhat familiar, but I cannot place her. Still, she seems to approve of such goings on.
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Um, Nancy Kovack?
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Gwili Andre.
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Tuesday’s guy reminds me of Broderick Crawford, but Tricky Tuesday is always tough, so probably not him.
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Broderick Crawford today.
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Constance Dowling and Broderick Crawford in BLACK ANGEL.
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Broderick Crawford?
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Broderick Crawford.
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Broderick Crawford?
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Victor Sen Yung.
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THE FLAME. Constance Dowling Monday, and Victor Sen Yung today.
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Constance Dowling, Broderick Crawford and Victor Sen Yung in “The Flame”
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Movie is The Flame (1947) with Constance Dowling, Broderick Crawford and Victor Sen Yung.
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I’ll be darned. So Tuesday was indeed Mr Crawford!
The Flame 1947
Monday – Constance Dowling
Tuesday – Broderick Crawford (woohoo!)
Wednesday – Victor Sen Yung
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Victor Sen Yung in THE FLAME.
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Victor Sen Yung in THE FLAME 1947
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Blanche Yurka and Robert Paige.
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On Thursday, Blanche Yurka and Robert Paige
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Blanche Yurka; Robert Paige.
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Is the Tricky Tuesday man in the hat Broderick Crawford?
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Blanche Yurka and Robert Paige
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Blanche Yurka and Robert Paige.
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Thursday – Blanche Yurka in image 1
Robert Paige on the Hammond organ in image 2
I wonder if it’s a Wurlitzer? (Memories of Stan Freberg.)
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Also, our leading lady is off to screen right, gazing intently at the “very ill” gentleman organist.
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Our movie is The Flame with Victor Sen Young from yesterday, Blanche Yurka and Robert Paige for today, and Constance Dowling for Monday.
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Broderick Crawford; John Carroll; Vera Ralston.
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No Hattie? Broderick Crawford, John Carroll, and Vera Hruba Ralston.
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Broderick Crawford, John Carroll and Vera Ralston.
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Well this was fun. Found out that Martin Scorsese was a fan of this movie. Back in the day, Ms Ralston seems to have been generally panned as an actress, but for her work in this film she has received more praise in recent times. Looking forward to the Saturday breakdown.
Friday – Broderick Crawford/ John Carroll/ Vera Ralston
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