The Lucky Stiff

The Lucky Stiff is a 1949 American criminal comedy film directed by Lewis R. Foster starring Dorothy Lamour, Brian Donlevy and Claire Trevor. The film is based on the 1945 novel of the same name by Craig Rice.

Lawyer John Malone Donlevy is an ardent admirer of the sultry night club singer Anna Marie St. Clair Lamour. After meeting her at the club, he is present when her boss is killed, and she is arrested for the crime. Sentenced to death, Malone and his secretary Maggie Seaton Trevor set out to find the real murderer, who is probably also responsible for a protection racket Malone is investigating. At the last possible moment Anne Marie is saved from execution. When she learns that the newspapers have reported that she is dead she decides to use her status as a corpse to her advantage.

Source: Wikipedia