Perhaps the problem with faux retro-superhero films (The Rocketeer, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, The Spirit, Dick Tracy) is not the plot, much as it seems to be. Nor the dialog, or the acting. Rather, it could be the length. The source material, or at least the imagined source material for filmmakers born long after TV ruled, is the serials of the 1930s, and those lasted under 20 minutes an episode.

So for those of us who crave the charm of these homages to yesteryear, the place to go is not your DVD rental store, but the web site of director Andrew M. Young for The Great Detective. In a time where all boys look like they are about to yell “paper mister,” woman are called “doll” and “sweetheart” by criminals and heroes alike, and plucky reporters do anything for a story, The Great Detective preserves the good people of Chicagotown behind his black mask and under his fedora.

Effie Soul, who brings the good news in uncertain times by way of a classic typewriter, has information on the whereabouts of the arch villain Pokerface. Luckily it is no trouble finding The Great Detective: just walk into the wrong part of time and he’ll show up to save you. With his jetpack strapped on, and a few secret weapons hidden in his trenchcoat from his faithful sidekick, The Great Detective sets out to clean up the city, and more importantly, provide hope in dark times.

Robert Trahan is dashing as the lead, with a touch of generic tough guy. The rest of the cast fit their parts: maniacal, trustworthy, and cute, in turn. The action is compact, which takes away nothing since we do get our needed shot of the hero streaking through the air.

A production of North Caroline School of the Arts, The Great Detective has no deep themes or important message. It is just good fun; dare I say it: old-fashioned good fun.