gridoon2018 The third and final film in the "Whistling" series has the biggest, most elaborate production, but also the longest running time. There are some great stunts (the elevator sequence), some big laughs ("Get his gun....get his gun....get his gun....get his gun...."), and the by-now series-trademarked chaotic climactic fight, with scrappy Ann Rutherford helping The Fox quite a bit. But the baseball sequence, though it has its moments, is a little overextended, and the crime plot, after a promising start, gets spelled out to the audience rather too soon. "Rags" Ragland has been promoted to co-starring status here, while the secondary female role is filled by Jean Rogers, who is cute but can't match Virginia Grey from "Whistling In The Dark". **1/2 out of 4.

moonspinner55 Radio personality "The Fox", who solves fictional crimes over the airwaves, is fingered by the police to be a real-life serial killer known as the Constant Reader after one of his radio plays features a clue that matches letters delivered by the actual criminal. Third "Whistling" film for Red Skelton and Ann Rutherford, following 1941's "Whistling in the Dark" and '42's "Whistling in Dixie", has some funny, inventive slapstick scenes mixed in with a lot of outright silliness and corn. An early bit involving a freight elevator is priceless, though the double-header climax (first at Ebbets Field, later down on the docks) is fairly dire. The ladies (Rutherford and the spirited Jean Rogers) are both terrific foils for Red, but chauffeur-sidekick 'Rags' Ragland is a lead weight. Plenty of chases and sight-gags, lots of fast dialogue, a surprising (and funny) gay joke, plus the Brooklyn Dodgers themselves make this a must-see for Skelton's fans. It moves along quickly enough, but the last reel doesn't give the supporting players much to do, and no one bothers to explain why the New York police force are so consistently inept. ** from ****

blanche-2 Released in 1943, "Whistling in Brooklyn" is the last of the films which starred Red Skelton as radio detective Wally "The Fox" Benton who gets involved in real-life murders. All he wants to do is marry his girlfriend (Ann Rutherford), but something always delays the wedding. Jean Rogers as a reporter and Rags Ragland appear in this "Whistling." This film concerns a serial killer named 'Constant Reader' who is killing people in Brooklyn. Wally falls under suspicion and tries to solve the crime and escape the police at the same time.In one sequence, Wally disguises himself as a ball player on a bearded team playing an exhibition with the Brooklyn Dodgers; he has to go out and play a game, while trying to get a message to the police. Some of the Dodgers appeared - Leo Durocher, Arky Vaughn, Joe Medwick, etc. Fun for old-time baseball fans who remember these players.Skelton can be corny, and some of his humor in this is groan-worthy. But the pace is fast, there are some funny bits, and when Skelton is being serious, he's actually quite sweet and natural. Ann Rutherford is adorable as his girlfriend.Good fun.

bkoganbing Whistling in Brooklyn was the last of three films that Red Skelton did as Wally 'The Fox' Benton, radio criminologist who keeps getting drawn into these real life mysteries via his reputation. Why he didn't just say that he was just an actor playing a role would have saved him a whole lot of trouble. Then again we wouldn't Skelton's Fox films, made at MGM, and they're pretty funny.Among other things he never quite gets around to is marrying gal pal Ann Rutherford. If another Fox film had been done I'm sure they'll have not done the deed yet again.There are some murders going on in Brooklyn, the last one being that of a police detective and after each one someone sends the Brooklyn Standard (Eagle) a note as to where the body is and signs it 'Constant Reader'. At the same time Skelton and his lunkhead man Friday Rag Ragland whom he picked up from the last Fox movie Whistling in Dixie decide that he ought to give out with the publicity stunt that Skelton is really the Constant Reader. That sets up one long chase where Skelton, Ragland, Rutherford, and snoopy reporter Jean Rogers get to solve it all literally on the fly.Whistling in Brooklyn is a fast paced comedy that is nice and personal for me and for the aging fans of the former Brooklyn Dodgers. There is an extended sequence where Skelton has escaped from both cops and bad guys and has disguised himself as a member of the semi-pro team the Beavers who are playing an exhibition with the Dodgers and they all wear beards. There was a team called the House of David where the players were just like that, they all looked like Hassidic Jews. It was their gimmick and they were an attraction.MGM did some location work in Brooklyn and such Dodgers as manager Leo Durocher and players like Arky Vaughn, Joe Medwick, Mickey Owen, Billy Herman and Dolph Camilli played themselves. Skelton disguised himself as the Beavers pitcher and took his place on the mound against these guys and retired the side after hitting the first three batters. You've got to see how he does it.Later on when he's up pitcher Bobo Newsom administers some chin music to Skelton at the plate. Newsom was almost as natural born a performer as Durocher who with this film started hanging around with show business types the rest of his life. Newsom had some right-handed sidearm delivery as you'll see. Those shots of the Brooklyn Dodgers and Ebbets Field are definite treasures that any baseball fan must see.To tell the truth, the plot is kind of dopey, but the laughs are real enough. For Skelton and baseball fans, a must.