The Chance of a Lifetime

The Chance of a Lifetime is a 1943 crime drama starring Chester Morris, Erik Rolf and Jeanne Bates. It is one offilms made by Columbia Pictures involving detective Boston Blackie, a criminalturnedcrime solver. This was the sixth in the series and one of three that did not have his name in the title. The film is also William Castles directorial debut. As with many of the films of the period, this was a flag waver to support Americas efforts during World War II.

Watson goes after the payroll money he stole before he was captured. His wife Mary Jeanne Bates convinces him to give it back, but his partners in crime, Red Taggart John Harmon and Nails Blanton Douglas Fowley, have been waiting patiently for their share. When they threaten Dooleys family, Dooley fights back. Red is killed in the ensuing struggle. Nails runs off. If Boston Blackie is to save his project, he has to capture Nails and force him to confess the death was in selfdefense, all while dodging Inspector Farraday Richard Lane.Critic Leonard Maltin said that star Chester Morris brought to the role a delightful offhand manner and sense of humour that kept the films fresh even when the scripts werent.this quote needs a citation Hal Erickson of Allmovie said The Chance of a Lifetime represents the first directorial effort of William Castle, who later claimed that, saddled with a hopeless project, he made the film work by rearranging the reels in the editing room. ........

Source: Wikipedia