Verdict:Michael Shayne: Private Detective is a confirmed HIT based on our analysis of audience ratings and box office momentum.
With a rating of 6.5/10, it has delivered a mixed experience for fans of the Comedy, Mystery genre.
Answer: Yes, Michael Shayne: Private Detective is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies.
It features a runtime of 77 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Last updated: January 9, 2026
Released in 1940, Michael Shayne: Private Detective enters the Comedy genre with a narrative focused on Millionaire sportsman Hiram Brighton hires gumshoe Michael Shayne to keep his spoiled daughter Phyllis away from racetrack betting windows and roulette wheels. Under the direction of Eugene Forde, the film attempts to weave detailed character arcs with visual storytelling.
The film is anchored by performances from Lloyd Nolan, Marjorie Weaver, Joan Valerie. While the cast delivers competent performances, the script occasionally limits their range.
From a technical standpoint, Michael Shayne: Private Detective offers a competent presentation. The cinematography aligns well with the tone, keeping the narrative moving at a brisk pace.
As of January 2026, Michael Shayne: Private Detective is available in theaters worldwide. For streaming audiences in the US and UK, look for availability on major platforms roughly 45 days after the theatrical release. Check your local listings for specific showtimes.
With an audience rating of 6.5/10, the reception has been generally positive. For fans of Comedy, Mystery, it serves as a worthy addition to the watchlist.
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.5/10, and global collection metrics, Michael Shayne: Private Detective stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1940 cinematic year.
Michael Shayne: Private Detective has received mixed reviews with a 6.5/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Michael Shayne: Private Detective is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Comedy, Mystery movies, but read reviews first.
Michael Shayne: Private Detective is a Comedy, Mystery movie that Millionaire sportsman Hiram Brighton hires gumshoe Michael Shayne to keep his spoiled daughter Phyllis away from racetrack betting windows and roulett...
For some reason, this starts with and features a slightly Scottish lilt to the score throughout, as we follow the slightly zany investigations of the eponymous down-at-heel PI (Lloyd Nolan) as he tries to wade his way through the murky worlds of horse racing, gaming addicts and, of course, murder! He's initially retained by the wealthy "Brighton" (Clarence Kolb) to rein in his unruly daughter "Phyllis" (Marjorie Weaver) but as the bodies start to pile up and he finds that he has to stay clear of the suspecting police chief "Painter" (Donald MacBride) we find ourselves in quite an entertainingly internecine mess of who did what and why? No absence of suspects and no shortage of crimes to suspect them of - all good fun! The star is really Elizabeth Patterson as the sleuthing "Aunt Olivia" whom, with her butler "Ponsby" (Charles Coleman) provide quite a lively conduit to bring the themes together at the end of what is quite a quickly paced eighty minutes. The denouement is a bit far-fetched - you probably wouldn't ever guess it - but Nolan is on good form with some quick-witted, dry, dialogue to deliver and there is a good chemistry between him, Weaver and MacBride as the story clears each fence. It's much better than I was expecting!
