Star of Midnight (1935). Directed by Stephen Roberts. Cast: William Powell, Ginger Rogers, Paul Kelly, Gene Lockhart.
Looking for his girl friend Alice, who has missing for over a year, Tim Winthrop goes to New York to ask his friend, criminal lawyer Clay Dalzell, for help looking for her. While there, Tim, Clay and Donna Mantin, Clay's fiancee, decide go to the theater, where actress Mary Smith, is performing.
Just as the show begins, Clay receives a message to meet gangster Jimmy Kinland, to pick up Donna's love letters. He soon discovers the letters are not Donna's, but from a married friend. It is not long after he hears the news that Mary Smith, disappeared during her first act.
Clay, returns home and is visited by his friend Tim, who tells him that Mary Smith, really is Alice and then he is visited by newspaper gossip columnist Tommy Tennant, who is shot and killed in Clay's bedroom.
The killer throws his gun next to Clay, making it look like he murdered Tommy. The producer of Mary's show and gangster Jimmy Kinland, both seem to know more than their telling. Clay, is determined to find the killer with the help of Donna and his butler.
This movie is very enjoyable with plenty of humour, intrigue, everything we love about William Powell. Ginger Rogers, also gives a wonderful performances and seems very natural playing opposite William Powell.
He had also written theatrical sketches, radio shows, special stage material, song lyrics and articles for stage and radio magazines.
He made his film debut in the film, Smilin' Through(1922), but did not make his first sound film until, By Your Leave(1934).
Lockhart, often played villains, the informant in Algiers and the American remake of, Pepe le Moko, which landed him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
He played the suspicious Georges de la Trémouille, in the film, Joan of Arc(1948).
He also played many "good guy" supporting roles such as, Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol and the judge in, Miracle on 34th Street and the Starkeeper in, Carousel(1956).
He later played the bumbling sheriff in, His Girl Friday.
He performed in the movie, The Sea Wolf (1941).
His last film role was in the film, Jeanne Eagels(1957).
Lockhart was the husband of Kathleen Lockhart, the father of June Lockhart and the grandfather of Anne Lockhart.