Where Is Jane Doe? (1956)

The evils of make-up, 14 March 2008

I'm not an expert when it comes to these RKO-Pathe Screenliner shorts, but Where is Jane Doe? is one of the worst I've seen. I'm not even sure what message the film is trying to convey. Is it intended to be a warning about the problem of teen runaways or is it a congratulatory pat on the back of the police? You would think that with only 8 minutes to work with, director Larry O'Reilly and writer Francis Dinsmoor would be more direct in their purpose and get right to the point. It's an odd narrative that doesn't work.

One thing you can usually count on when watching one of these old shorts is an unintended laugh or two. I got a real chuckle out of Where is Jane Doe? when the police discover the missing girl kept a secret make-up kit at a friend's house. Oh the horror! Not make-up!

5/10