Michael Shayne: Private Detective (1940): Cast, Plot & Where to Watch
Michael Shayne: Private Detective is a 1940 mystery comedy directed by Eugene Forde, starring Lloyd Nolan as Michael Shayne, Clarence Kolb and Marjorie Weaver. It runs 1 hour 17 minutes. Rent or buy it on Amazon Video.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 17m (77 min)
- Director
- Eugene Forde
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- 20th Century Fox
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Michael Shayne: Private Detective About?
The premise of Michael Shayne: Private Detective without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Millionaire Hiram Brighton hires gumshoe Michael Shayne to keep his daughter Phyllis away from racetrack betting and roulette. When she sneaks out and gambles, Shayne fakes the murder of her boyfriend—who also courts the casino owner’s daughter—to scare her. When tout is killed, Shayne and Phyllis’s aunt Olivia, a murder‑mystery fan, track the killer.
Michael Shayne: Private Detective Themes & Keywords
· 47 tags- character name as title
- four word title
- michael shayne character
- scotch and soda
- cigar smoking
- murder
- tout
- racetrack
- gambling
- gambler
- casino
- roulette
+35 more Show fewer
- aunt
- .38 caliber gun
- suicide note
- shot in the head
- saliva test
- repo man
- moving furniture
- mickey finn
- keychain
- ketchup
- jewelry pin
- forgery
- fisherman
- fingerprints
- file cabinet
- catsup
- bartender
- irish american
- detective
- private detective
- gun
- fistfight
- blackmail
- police
- racing commissioner
- brooch
- confession of a crime
- false accusation
- jealousy
- horse racing
- amateur detective
- escape
- debt
- father daughter relationship
- based on novel
Where to Watch Michael Shayne: Private Detective
Rent or buy it from Amazon Video. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
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Michael Shayne: Private Detective Cast & Characters
Lloyd Nolan leads the cast as Michael Shayne, with Clarence Kolb as Hiram P. Brighton and Marjorie Weaver as Phyllis Brighton. Directed by Eugene Forde; 43 actors are credited in all.
- Director Eugene Forde
-
Lloyd Nolan as Michael Shayne - Clarence Kolb as Hiram P. Brighton
- Marjorie Weaver as Phyllis Brighton
- George Meeker as Harry Grange
Also Starring in Michael Shayne: Private Detective
· 39 more- Walter Abel Elliott Thomas
- Robert Emmett Keane Larry Kincaid
- Douglass Dumbrille Benny Gordon (as Douglas Dumbrille)
- Joan Valerie Marsha Gordon
- Irving Bacon Fisherman
- Bess Flowers Racetrack Spectator in Sunglasses (uncredited)
- Larry Steers Racetrack Spectator
- Harold Miller Casino Patron
- Cyril Ring Reporter
- Frank Mills Counterman
- Edmund Mortimer Casino Patron
- James Conaty Casino Patron
- Ralph Dunn First Bartender
- Dick Gordon Casino Patron
- Harold Goodwin Reporter
- Charles Coleman Ponsby
Show all 43 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Don Brodie Reporter (uncredited)
- Paul E. Burns Furniture Company Move
- Frank Orth Steve
- Sayre Dearing Racetrack Spectator
- Fern Emmett Jenny
- Sherry Hall 2nd Bartender
- Paul Kruger Parking Attendent
- Elizabeth Patterson Aunt Olivia
- Donald MacBride Chief Peter Painter
- Dick Rich Mover
- Jimmy Aubrey Mac
- Jack Richardson Casino Patron
- Adrian Morris Al
- James Pierce Burly Man Downstairs
- Robert Conway Desk Clerk
- Dick French Reporter
- Hamilton MacFadden Reporter
- Field Norton Casino Patron
- Bob Rose Freddy
- Paddy O'Flynn Reporter
- S.S. Simon Casino Patron
- Tony Martelli Casino Patron
- Major McBride Croupier
Michael Shayne: Private Detective Plot Summary
What happens in Michael Shayne: Private Detective from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Mike Shayne, an out-of-work private detective, is hired by his friend, the wealthy racing executive Hiram Brighton, to keep an eye on his spirited daughter, Phyllis Brighton, while he’s away. Phyllis gambles away her money and has begun dating a dangerous underworld figure, Harry Grange, much to her father’s consternation. The arrangement sets up a tense moral backdrop as Shayne tries to tread a careful line between loyalty and propriety, all while a family’s trust hangs in the balance.
Full summary
The whole story of Michael Shayne: Private Detective, scene by scene
Michael Shayne: Private Detective Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Michael Shayne: Private Detective.
How Well Do You Know Michael Shayne: Private Detective?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrays the title character, Mike Shayne?
Cars in Michael Shayne: Private Detective
10 cars on screen, including the 1940 LaSalle Special and the 1937 Chevrolet Master.
-
1940 LaSalle Special Main role -
1937 Chevrolet Master Important role -
1940 Lincoln Zephyr Important role -
1940 Mercury Eight Important role
Michael Shayne: Private Detective Also Known As
Also known as “Michael Shayne: Détective privé”.
- Also known as
-
- Michael Shayne: Détective privé
Seen Michael Shayne: Private Detective?
Movies Like Michael Shayne: Private Detective
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Just Off Broadway, Too Many Winners and Murder Is My Business.
Michael Shayne: Private Detective FAQ: Where to Watch & Cast
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch and post-credit scenes of Michael Shayne: Private Detective, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Michael Shayne: Private Detective?
Michael Shayne: Private Detective runs 1 hour 17 minutes (77 minutes).
When was Michael Shayne: Private Detective released?
Michael Shayne: Private Detective was released on December 19, 1940.
Who directed Michael Shayne: Private Detective?
Michael Shayne: Private Detective was directed by Eugene Forde.
More films by Eugene Forde Who is in the cast of Michael Shayne: Private Detective?
Michael Shayne: Private Detective stars Lloyd Nolan as Michael Shayne, Clarence Kolb as Hiram P. Brighton and Marjorie Weaver as Phyllis Brighton, among 43 credited actors.
Where can I watch Michael Shayne: Private Detective?
In the US, Michael Shayne: Private Detective is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video (availability from JustWatch).
Does Michael Shayne: Private Detective have a post-credit scene?
No. Michael Shayne: Private Detective has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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