Fast Company (1938)
A sparkling mystery-comedy from MGM's golden era, pairing a witty married couple against a world of rare book forgeries and murder.
Fast Company - Movie Information
- Original Title: Fast Company
- Release Year: 1938
- Directed by: Edward Buzzell
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Mystery, Comedy, Romance
- Runtime: 1h 15m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): July 8, 1938 (United States)
- Alternative Titles: Amigos peligrosos (ES), Rare Book Murder (US)
- Production Companies: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- Production Countries: United States of America
Fast Company - Plot
Married book-dealers Joel & Garda Sloane try to clear a friend in the murder of a rival book-seller.
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Fast Company - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Edward Buzzell
Main Cast
- Melvyn Douglas
- Florence Rice
- Claire Dodd
- Shepperd Strudwick
- Louis Calhern
- Nat Pendleton
- Douglass Dumbrille
- Mary Howard
- George Zucco
- Minor Watson
Writers
- Harold Tarshis
- Harry Kurnitz
Producers
- Frederick Stephani
Fast Company - FAQs
Who are the main actors in Fast Company?
The film stars Melvyn Douglas and Florence Rice as Joel and Garda Sloane, the charming married couple at the center of the story. The supporting cast includes Claire Dodd, Louis Calhern, Nat Pendleton, Douglass Dumbrille, George Zucco, and Shepperd Strudwick, among others.
What is Fast Company about?
Fast Company follows Joel and Garda Sloane, a quick-witted married couple who deal in rare books. When a friend is accused of murdering a rival book-seller, the two dive headfirst into amateur sleuthing, navigating a world of forgeries, frameups, and shady characters to uncover the truth.
When was Fast Company released?
Fast Company was released on July 8, 1938, in the United States. It was produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and directed by Edward Buzzell, arriving during Hollywood's golden era of screwball mystery-comedies.
Is Fast Company inspired by Nick and Nora Charles?
Very much so. Fast Company was MGM's attempt to recapture the magic of The Thin Man series, pairing a witty, bickering married couple as amateur detectives. Joel and Garda Sloane share the same playful dynamic as Nick and Nora Charles, blending sharp banter with genuine mystery-solving charm.
What genre is Fast Company?
Fast Company blends Mystery, Comedy, and Romance into a lively screwball whodunit. It sits comfortably within the 1930s tradition of comedic detective films, where clever dialogue and romantic sparring are just as important as solving the crime.
Did Fast Company spawn any sequels?
Yes! Fast Company launched a short-lived trilogy at MGM. It was followed by Fast and Loose (1939) and Fast and Furious (1939), though the cast changed in subsequent entries. The Sloane characters continued, but Melvyn Douglas and Florence Rice were replaced by different actors in each sequel.
Who directed Fast Company?
Edward Buzzell directed Fast Company. Buzzell was a reliable MGM contract director known for his work on comedies and light entertainments during the late 1930s and 1940s, bringing a brisk, breezy pace to this mystery-comedy.
What are similar movies to Fast Company?
If you enjoy Fast Company, you might love Murder She Said (1961), Murder at the Gallop (1963), The Maltese Falcon (1941), Double Indemnity (1944), Dial M for Murder (1954), Rear Window (1954), and The 39 Steps (1935) — all classic mystery films with sharp wit and clever plotting.
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