Years ago Robert Young complained that he got the parts at MGM that Franchot Tone turned down who in turn got the roles Robert Montgomery rejected. Perhaps it was the prospect of working with Todd Browning in what turned out to be his last film that attracted Young.If so he made an error, not as big a one as Browning made in taking on a story that couldn't make up it's mind what it was. Was it, comedy, drama, or mystery? It had bits of all three.Young's character is based on Harry Houdini who when he wasn't performing himself made an avocation of exposing fake mediums. He offers aid and assistance to Florence Rice who is being threatened with death and there are attempts made. But one of the fakers Frederic Worlock is found dead in a locked room, his body displayed in some bizarre ritual.All the suspects but for Rice are magicians/spiritualists, but this is a real murder committed by a very much alive perpetrator and police detectives Cliff Clark and William Demarest have to find him. Young proves valuable in dealing with this particular group of suspects.I rather liked Frank Craven who plays Young's father and Gloria Holden best known for being Dracula's Daughter as one of the spiritualists. Holden looks so deadpan serious yet you know she's not thinking much of this material. And Craven has some funny lines. But they're out of place, not like the banter between Nick and Nora Charles when they're on a case.It's not a horrible film Todd Browning ended his career with, but definitely mediocre.

Producer Joseph Judson Cohn (who rarely took a credit for his work) was once asked how long he had been working for M.G.M. He replied, "I came over with Columbus!" And that was virtually the case. He joined M.G.M. as soon as the studio was set up and remained with M.G.M. until his mentor, Louis B. Mayer, retired. Alas, despite this movie's classy credits, and its comparatively short running time (71 minutes), it's something of a chore to sit through. Director Tod Browning seems to have lost his touch. On this occasion, he fails to grip his audience. Or maybe the unbelievable script was to blame. Promising ideas are often negated by faulty writing. And the acting is not what you would call "charismatic" either. Or maybe the players had already lost faith in the script before shooting had even commenced. Anyway, despite its innovative subject matter, the story is a feeble one at best, and what's worse, it doesn't make a good deal of sense.

Miracles For Sale (1939) ** (out of 4) Tod Browning directed film about an ex magician (Robert Young) who now spends his days tracking down fake psychics. One night he meets a strange woman (Florence Rice) and soon bodies are showing up and it appears they are being killed by spirits. Browning's direction is really lacking in this film as it really doesn't contain any of the charm or mystery that it's going for. Young is decent in his role and Henry Hull is nice as well even though she's pretty much wasted. Gloria Holden from Dracula's Daughter also has a small part. There are way too many twists in the film and it also contains one of the most obvious red herrings in film history.

I understand this was the famous Todd Browning's final film; well, he certainly picked a good one to go out on. MIRACLES FOR SALE is a murder mystery with a twist: all the suspects are either magicians or oculists. This naturally makes for a very spooky and atmospheric thriller, which is well handled by Browning and the cast. Robert Young is perfect as the glib magician hero, Florence Rice is appealing as the frightened heroine, and Frank Craven and Cliff Clark supply some hilarious dialogue. Unlike many murder mysteries of this vintage, though, MIRACLES doesn't fall into unsuspenseful slapstick by trying to ape the Thin Man films--it gets positively creepy in parts. Also refreshing is the fact that Young's character doesn't deny the existence of the supernatural: he just thinks that the murder in this case is the work of humans. As you would expect in a magician murder mystery, there are several tricks and illusions in the plot, one of which took me in completely. My brother, an amateur magician of sorts, also passed this one on the accuracy of its depiction of the magic profession. Check it out; you won't be disappointed.