Dick Tracy vs. Cueball

In "Dick Tracy vs Cueball" (1946), the square-jawed detective and his sweetheart, Tess Trueheart, try to solve a diamond robbery. Unfortunately, their path leads Tess into the clutches of remorseless strangler Harry "Cueball" Lake. Filthy Flora, proprietor of the Dripping Dagger, is joined by Jules Sparkle, Vitamin Flintheart and Pat Patton to fill out the roster of capital-C Characters in this engaging oldie.

Morgan Conway appeared as Dick Tracy in two films, including "Dick Tracy, Detective" and "Dick Tracy vs Cueball." Though Ralph Byrd’s portrayal of the comic book hero was more popular with contemporary audiences, Conway channels the grittier side of the character in this RKO production, which some viewers find more in keeping with Chester Gould’s original creation.

In another notable performance, Richard (Dick) Wessel plays the psychotic Cueball. An American actor with tough-guy looks, Wessel appeared in hundreds of films, often in uncredited roles. Though frequently cast as a thug, the thick-set actor also played comedic roles, including a secondary character in Three Stooges pics.