Directed by William Castle and released by Universal Pictures on May 19, 1951, The Fat Man is a brisk, 78-minute film noir crime thriller adapted from the popular radio series created by Dashiell Hammett. It stars J. Scott Smart as the portly private detective Brad Runyan, reprising his radio role, and features early performances by Rock Hudson, Julie London, and Emmett Kelly. The film blends classic noir tropes with showbiz intrigue and a touch of eccentricity.
Plot Summary
When a respected dentist is found murdered in his office, the police are stumped. His loyal assistant Jane Adams (Jayne Meadows) turns to private detective Brad Runyan, known for his sharp mind and imposing presence. As Runyan investigates, he uncovers a web of secrets involving vaudeville performers, underworld figures, and a mysterious set of dental x-rays.
The case leads him into the world of traveling entertainers, where he encounters the enigmatic clown Ed Deets (Emmett Kelly) and nightclub singer Pat Boyd (Julie London). With suspects piling up and danger closing in, Runyan must use both brains and brawn to crack the case.
Cast Highlights
- J. Scott Smart as Brad Runyan
- Julie London as Pat Boyd
- Rock Hudson as Roy Clark (aka Ray Chevlin)
- Jayne Meadows as Jane Adams
- Emmett Kelly as Ed Deets
- Jerome Cowan as Lt. Stark
- Lucille Barkley, John Russell, Clinton Sundberg, and Robert Osterloh in supporting roles
Trivia & Behind the Scenes
- The film was based on the radio series “The Fat Man”, which aired from 1946 to 1951 and was created by Dashiell Hammett, though he had limited involvement in the adaptation
- J. Scott Smart, nicknamed “The Portly Sleuth,” was cast to match the radio persona, making this one of the few direct radio-to-film transitions of the era
- Rock Hudson, still early in his career, plays a supporting role that helped build his screen presence before his breakout in Magnificent Obsession (1954)
- Julie London, a jazz singer and actress, performs in the film and adds sultry noir atmosphere to the nightclub scenes
- Director William Castle, later famous for horror gimmicks like “Emergo” and “Percepto,” called the film “a potboiler of little merit” but appreciated the opportunity to work with rising stars
- The film features Emmett Kelly, America’s most famous circus clown, in a rare dramatic role as a suspect, adding surreal tension to the mystery
- The story’s use of dental x-rays as a murder motive was considered novel and added a forensic twist to the noir formula
- Though not a major hit, the film has gained cult interest for its blend of radio nostalgia, noir aesthetics, and offbeat casting
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