My Favorite Brunette (1947) - Bob Hope

The story is told in Flashback (narrative) from Death Row as Ronnie Jackson (Hope) relates the events to a group of reporters the events that lead to his predicament. Jackson is a baby photographer who dreams about being a real private detective like his friend Sam McCloud (Ladd). One day he is mistaken for a detective by a mysterious lady in distress (Lamour) and soon finds himself involved in a murder mystery.

Cast:
Bob Hope as Ronnie Jackson
Alan Ladd as Sam McCloud (cameo appearance)
Dorothy Lamour as Baroness Carlotta Montay
Frank Puglia as Baron Montay
Peter Lorre as Kismet
Lon Chaney, Jr. as Willie
John Hoyt as Dr. Lundau
Charles Dingle as Major Simon Montague
Reginald Denny (actor) as James Collins
Ann Doran as Miss Rogers