Just Off Broadway (1942)

A private detective (Lloyd Nolan) serving on a jury trying a society girl (Janis Carter) for murder, suddenly become embroiled in the case when a witness is killed in the middle of the courtroom. Based on the character created by Brett Halliday in a series of books and directed by Herbert I. Leeds (MR. MOTO IN DANGER ISLAND). The sixth entry in 20th Century Fox's Michael Shayne seven movie franchise, all starring Lloyd Nolan. I'm a murder mystery junkie but I've never really cottoned to the Shayne series and I think it's because, as played by Nolan, he's unlikable and unethical. Case in point, as a juror, he's sequestered in a hotel with fellow jurors but sneaks out to do some investigating on his own. He also tends to be a bully and a liar and whatever else it takes to get the information he wants. On the plus side, the movie moves very quickly and doesn't drag but still, it's not all that interesting either. With Phil Silvers, Marjorie Weaver, Richard Derr, Joan Valerie and Don Costello.