Rating:7/10
With this being the only Dick Tracy movie I've ever seen, it is hard for me to gauge what this movie is like compared to the other Dick Tracy movies of this era.  But the one thing I do know about watching this Dick Tracy movie is that it was kind of a fun watch.  Ralph Byrd is well suited for his role of Dick Tracy, but the man who really steals the show is Boris Karloff as Gruesome.  Boris Karloff was very intimidating as the murderous Gruesome and he really elevates this movie.  Karloff almost plays his character beast like as he will kill anything, even his own henchman, to get what he wants.  The other cast members were excellent as well.  Lyle Latell was excellent and was a bit of the comic relief to Dick Tracy as his sidekick, Pat Patton.  I also enjoyed the characters of X-Ray and Melody, played by Skelton Knaggs and Tony Barrett, respectively.  I really liked the chemistry with Gruesome and the way the interacted with him.  The other thing I really enjoy too, watching these movies is the play on words for characters names.  For example, I.M. Learned, Dr. A. Tomic and the gangster Lee Thal.  I also got a kick out of the line that Pat Patton uses, saying he feels like they are dealing with Boris Karloff.  The way it was presented and played out, that worked out real well and was pretty funny.  The last battle between Dick Tracy and Gruesome could have been better, actually it should have been better, because it ended on a weak note, but if you are into old black and white movies or really into Boris Karloff, check this out.  You should be able to find this for 99 cents and it is worth the money.