The read
Critics rate it 13 points higher than audiences do. It runs a compact 1h 29m.
Synopsis
Shortly before the curtain goes up the first time at the latest performance of Earl Carroll's Vanities, someone is attempting to injure the leading lady Ann Ware, who wants to marry leading man Eric Lander. Stage manager Jack Ellery calls in his friend, policeman Bill Murdock, to help him investigate. Bill thinks Jack is offering to let him see the show from an unusual viewpoint after he forgot to get him tickets for the performance, but then they find the corpse of a murdered woman and Bill immediately suspects Eric of the crime.
Ratings
IMDb6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes78%
Critics rate it 13 points higher than audiences do.
14 audience votes
Key crew
- Carey WilsonScreenplay
- Mitchell LeisenDirector
- Joseph GollombScreenplay
- Howard JacksonOriginal Music Composer
- Milan RoderOriginal Music Composer
- William E. LynchOriginal Music Composer
Cast
- Carl BrissonEric Lander
- Victor McLaglenBill Murdock
- Jack OakieJack Ellery
- Kitty CarlisleAnn Ware
- Dorothy StickneyNorma Watson
- Gertrude MichaelRita Ross
- Jessie RalphMrs. Helene Smith
- Charles MiddletonHomer Boothby
- Gail PatrickSadie Evans
- Donald MeekDr. Saunders
- Toby WingNancy
- Duke EllingtonDuke Ellington
Stills
Themes
murderpre-code