Murder at the Vanities

Murder at the Vanities, directed by Mitchell Leisen, is a classic crime-mystery injected with copious amounts of comedic fun and melodrama. First released in 1934, this film features powerhouse performances from Carl Brisson, Victor McLaglen and Jack Oakie. Brisson plays the part of Eric Lander, a leading performer at the Vanities, while McLaglen and Oakie add an interesting comedic twist in their roles as Detective Bill Murdock and Jack Ellery, respectively.

The movie opens with the flamboyant vaudeville setting of New York's renowned "Vanities," a popular theatre show of the 1930s. The audience is expertly introduced into the backstage enthralling drama through gritted teeth, forced smiles, and frenzied chaos of a live performance preparation. Between high-tempo song numbers and mind-blowing dance ensembles, viewers are subtly drawn into the tense undercurrents of egos, rivalries, and romance brewing behind the scenes.

The film is far from a simple backstage drama. It skilfully maneuvers between a narrative of an ambitious theatre group and a mysterious crime whodunit. Beneath the glitz of the stage, an ominous mystery unfolds. Unexpectedly, a performer is discovered dead during the show. The backdrop of vaudeville glamour and allure thus shadowed by a sinister plot of murder. The victim's ambiguous relations with the troupe members, and secretive past further disturbs the peace.

Enter Detective Bill Murdock, played by Victor McLaglen, assigned to investigate the murder. As Murdock explores the troupe members, he unearths deeper secrets, scandals and suspicion. The plot thickens with each revealing clue, making it harder to pinpoint the actual culprit. Victor McLaglen brings comic relief and a robust charisma to the role of Murdock, a cop who is ill-equipped to handle the glamorous and temperamental thespians yet determined to solve the case.

Jack Ellery is a song-and-dance man who's much-loved for his jests and pranks. The character is portrayed by Jack Oakie, and he adorns this persona with an incomparable charm and character. His comical interludes and slapstick performances only serve to add depth to the movie's fast-paced narrative.

The intrigue around the murder, combined with high-energy performances, beautiful costumes of the era, and well-choreographed dance routines, make the movie a worthwhile watch. In many scenes throughout the movie, director Mitchell Leisen exhibits his acumen in utilizing musical 1930’s stage revues as both a method to further carry the storyline and as a strategic pause from the suspense.

Murder at the Vanities mixes genres effortlessly, creating a complex yet fun narrative. The musical numbers, although seemingly unrelated to the plot, reveal character dynamics crucial to understanding the mystery. This film is an exciting play of tensions – between the frenzy of a live show and the solitude of a crime scene, between the spotlight and the darkness behind the curtains, between the lighthearted humor and the grimness of death.

Moreover, the film captures the charm of the 1930s – the allure of the stage, the magic of theatre, and the thrill of a stage performance. The great Art Deco sets designed by Hans Dreier provide a grand backdrop for the mystery plot that unrolls and adds to the charm and the flavor of the movie, alluring the audience into an experience that's historic and enchanting.

In essence, Murder at the Vanities is not merely a movie but a reflection of an era where crime, music, and comedy were intertwined to create an intriguing blend. It successfully merges elements of comedy, crime-thriller, musical, and melodrama to form an entertaining and captivating spectacle.

This film serves as a terrific platform for the star-studded cast to showcase their talents. The performances of Victor McLaglen, Carl Brisson, and Jack Oakie stand out, their excellent comedic timing and sarcasm enrich the narrative.

To sum it up, Murder at the Vanities is an exciting jig between the worlds of the glamourous stage and grim crime, making it a captivating watch. The mix of memorable musical sequences, high-energy stage performances, the mystery of a whodunit murder, and unexpected comedic delights make this movie a unique entertainment package. It's a classic that truly reflects the dynamic transitional phase of 1930s Hollywood.