Released by 20th Century-Fox in 1946, Home Sweet Homicide is a lighthearted mystery-comedy-romance based on the bestselling novel by Craig Rice (the pen name of Georgiana Ann Randolph Walker Craig), an author well-known for her humorous crime fiction. The book was actually inspired by Rice’s own children, who eagerly read her work almost as soon as she finished writing it. The film blends domestic comedy with a whodunit plot, capturing the spirit of mid-1940s “family solves a crime” movies.

The story follows Marian Carstairs (Lynn Bari), a successful mystery author and single mother raising three children: April (Peggy Ann Garner), Daphne (Connie Marshall), and Archie (Dean Stockwell, who grew up to become an acclaimed actor, perhaps best known as Al from the hit series Quantum Leap).

Convinced they have uncovered a real murder tied to someone in their neighborhood, the kids begin meddling in the situation. True to form for this genre, they jump to conclusions, conduct secret investigations, and create more chaos than clarity. Fortunately, a voice of reason arrives in the form of Lt. Bill Smith (played by Randolph Scott, who is likely best known for his many Western film roles). Naturally, he introduces a bit of romantic tension, much to the delight of the children, who feel their mother is lacking in the romance department.

As a whole, the film is not a dark murder mystery. Instead, it is playful and fast-talking, featuring smart-aleck kids who outwit adults alongside mild comedic romance. Very similar in tone to The Thin Man, but lightened up to be more family-friendly, Home Sweet Homicide received generally positive reviews from critics.

You can currently watch it for free on YouTube, though content there tends to disappear without warning. While a few DVD versions exist, they generally suffer from poor quality and tend to be overpriced, so it is best to check the reviews before buying.