Bulldog Drummond (1930)

Former military man Drummond is finding civilian life dreadfully boring, so he puts an advertisement in the newspaper requesting diversion -- preferably legit, but humorous crime also welcome as long as the prospect is exciting. When the answers pour in, he selects a plea from a woman who’s booked rooms under “John Smith” and wants to meet him at midnight… exciting already.

The case involves a rich American being held by an unscrupulous doctor in a lunatic asylum for the purposes of extortion, which is OK story-wise. The real draw, however, is the devil-may-care antics of Drummond and his droll buddy who follows him to the rendezvous.

Longer by 30 minutes or so than the story could breezily support, but it’s still pretty entertaining.

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