TODAY'S NUGGET: The Mad Miss Manton (1938) - How to Use the Wipe Pan

[Quick Summary: After socialite Melsa Manton stumbles over a dead body that disappears, she has to prove to everyone that she's not pulling another prank.]

I've always seen brothers and writers Julius and Philip Epstein (Casablanca, Arsenic and Old Lace) listed together, or Julius as a sole credit (Reuben, Ruben).  

I'd never seen a script written by Philip, who passed away at a young age, as a sole credit.  So my interest was piqued when I found this script in book form.

This was a studio film for Barbara Stanwyck, (before Double Indemnity (1944)) and Henry Fonda.  He was the newspaper man whose editorials criticize her "prank."

I didn't think there was anything new in this comedy mystery.  

However, I was interested in the clear (and sparse) use of the wipe pan.  

In the scene below:
- It identifies the various interested parties (suspects?!) one by one, in their natural environments.
- It heightens the tension.  Which of these is the real guilty party?
- It increases stakes.  These folks know that Melsa is about to finger one of them.
- It sets up our expectations that something is going to happen next.
- In the last line, the note says that everyone should look "enigmatic," which helps prolong the suspense. What will happen next?

DISSOLVE OUT

DISSOLVE IN

INTERIOR ONE-ART LUNCH COUNTER - NIGHT

Medium shot -- Norris, seated on one of the stools, is reading the newspaper headline:

    MELSA MANTON TO REVEAL NEW EVIDENCE
    TO DISTRICT ATTORNEY
    ARREST EXPECTED IN 24 HOURS

WIPE

INTERIOR BEAUTY PARLOR - NIGHT
Sheila Lane, her hair under the dryer, her face covered with creams, is reading the same newspaper headline.

WIPE

EXTERIOR CORNER NEWSSTAND - NIGHT
Thomas, a newspaper in his hand, is just tossing a few coins to the newspaper vendor. He starts to read the same newspaper headline.

WIPE

INTERIOR SUBWAY CAR - NIGHT
Frances Glesk, holding onto a strap, is reading the same headline over a man's shoulder.

WIPE

INTERIOR POOLROOM - NIGHT
Bat Regan, a cue stick in one hand, has a newspaper in the other hand.
(NOTE: All the people in these scenes have enigmatic looks on their faces.)

WHAT I'VE LEARNED:  I've never considered using the wipe pan, thinking it was too old fashioned. I might now, seeing how it's quite effective in the right situation.

The Mad Miss Manton (1938)
by Philip G. Epstein