In 1938, Brodie, with considerable media fanfare, landed by far the most substantial role of his screen career: prominently featured in the fifth installment of Universal's Crime Club series, The Last Express."First Feature Role for Don Brodie". The Newark Advocate. November, 1938. p. 15. Retrieved February 15, 2023."Kent Taylor, right, with Dorothea Hunt and Don Brodie...". The South Bend Tribune. December 29, 1938. p. 8. Retrieved February 15, 2023."Film News of the Week: 'The Last Express'". The Sydney Morning Herald. January 12, 1939. p. 31. Retrieved February 15, 2023. (He had appeared uncredited in each of the four prior entries). Although the film was widely dismissed by critics,Wear (October 19, 1933). "Film Reviews: The Last Express". Variety. October 19, 1938. p. 27. Retrieved February 15, 2023."The Last Express". Motion Picture Reviews. December 1938. p. 6. Retrieved February 15, 2023. those few reviewers who did more than merely mention Brodie by name lauded his contribution. The Jackson Sun describes leading man Kent Taylor and Brodie as "mak[ing] most of meaty roles of private detective and stooge, respectively," and notes that "Brodie adapts himself readily to the comic relief,""Crime Club Production, 'The Last Express,' at State Saturday; Uses Formula of Bringing All Suspects Together at Finale for Denouement; Strong Cast Is Headed by Kent Taylor". The Jackson Sun. January 29, 1939. p. 22. Retrieved February 15, 2023. while the Liverpool Evening Express deems Brodie "very amusing as [Taylor's] assistant.""In Town Monday Night". Liverpool Evening Express. May 13, 1939. p. 4. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
