Devil's Cargo (1948)

OK, I quite enjoyed this. It continues the rather derivative series of "Falcon" adventures with John Calvert in the title tole, but there are some enjoyable moments along the way as he has to track down a murderer. That's made more complicated because "Delgado" (Paul Marion) has confessed to him about perpetrating the crime, and police inspector "Hardy" (Roscoe Karns) is all too ready to believe him. Thing is, "Delgado" is playing quite a ricky game that relies on the police actually investigating his confession and discovering that the motive lies elsewhere. With whizz lawyer "Mallon" (Theodore von Eltz) now defending him, he feels sure of acquittal until, well suffice to say there's nobody to acquit! Who did what to whom, and why? That's what our intrepid investigator has to find out! There's a little fun to be had with some daft magic tricks; Calvert does quite enough with the basic script and production and Rochelle Hudson adds a little mischievous glamour to the proceedings as widow "Margo" to keep this moving along to a conclusion that's not so blindingly obvious as with many of these afternoon features. Nope, you'll never remember it, but it does pass an hour easily enough.