Special Investigator (1936)
A 1936 RKO crime drama in which a defense attorney turns the tables on the underworld after tragedy strikes close to home.
Special Investigator - Movie Information
Special Investigator - Plot
A lawyer changes from defending public enemies to bringing them to justice after his brother is killed.
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Special Investigator - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Louis King
Main Cast
- Richard Dix
- Margaret Callahan
- Erik Rhodes
- Owen Davis Jr.
- Ray Mayer
- Harry Jans
- Joe Sawyer
- J. Carrol Naish
- Sheila Terry
- Jed Prouty
Writers
- Erle Stanley Gardner
- Louis Stevens
- Thomas Lennon
- Ferdinand Reyher
Special Investigator - FAQs
What is Special Investigator about?
Special Investigator follows Bill Fenwick, a sharp defense attorney who spends his career shielding racketeers from justice. When his brother George is killed by the very criminals he protects, Fenwick crosses the aisle and dedicates himself to bringing them down — blending crime, personal vengeance, and a touch of romance along the way.
Does Special Investigator have a revenge-driven plot?
Absolutely. The film's emotional engine is Bill Fenwick's transformation from high-paid criminal defender to relentless pursuer of justice after his brother's murder. It's a classic moral-redemption arc wrapped in 1930s gangster-film energy, giving Richard Dix plenty of room to play both sides of the law.
Who are the main actors in Special Investigator?
Richard Dix leads the cast as Bill Fenwick, the conflicted lawyer turned crime-fighter. He's joined by Margaret Callahan as Virginia Selton, J. Carrol Naish as Eddie Selton, Erik Rhodes as Benny Gray, and Joe Sawyer as Jim Plummer, among others rounding out this tight ensemble.
Where can you watch Special Investigator online?
You can check current streaming and viewing options for Special Investigator on JustWatch, which tracks availability across platforms in your region. Since it's a 1936 pre-Code-era RKO production, availability may vary, but JustWatch is your best starting point for finding it.
Who directed Special Investigator and what else did he make?
Louis King directed Special Investigator. A prolific Hollywood journeyman of the 1930s and 1940s, King worked across genres including Westerns and crime pictures. He helmed films like Thunderhead — Son of Flicka (1945) and Bob, Son of Battle (1947), demonstrating a steady hand with action-driven narratives.
Is Special Investigator based on a story by Erle Stanley Gardner?
Yes — Erle Stanley Gardner, best known for creating Perry Mason, contributed to the story behind Special Investigator. The screenplay was developed by Louis Stevens, Thomas Lennon, and Ferdinand Reyher, but Gardner's fingerprints are visible in the legal-world setting and the morally complex central character.
How long is Special Investigator?
Special Investigator runs a brisk 61 minutes — very typical for B-movies of the 1930s. RKO Radio Pictures produced these compact crime programmers to fill double-bill slots, and the tight runtime keeps the pace snappy without much room for filler.
What are some movies similar to Special Investigator?
If you enjoy Special Investigator's crime-and-justice blend, classics like The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948) and The Lady and the Mob (1939) are worth exploring. For more modern takes on crime and loyalty themes, Blood Ties (2013) and Fast Charlie (2023) offer compelling viewing.
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