Jim Hanvey, Detective

Wisecracking ace detective, Jim Hanvey is hired by an insurance company to find wealthy Mrs. Frost's missing emeralds. It doesn't take long for Hanvey to figure out that Mrs. Frost's future son-in-law was the culprit, although the theft was actually an innocent prank. Efforts to return the jewels are foiled when they are stolen again-this time for real! As Hanvey continues the investigation, a murder is committed and everyone is suspect. The quick thinking, smart-alecky sleuth devises an ingenious mousetrap to catch the thieving killer with his own bait.

Guy Kibbee parlayed his portly, bald buffoon characterizations into a very successful screen career through the 30s and 40s, appearing in 42nd Street (1933), Babbitt (1934), Captain Blood (1935), Captain January (with Shirley Temple in 1936), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), Our Town (1940) and over 100 others.

• mystery