Design for Murder Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 15, 2026
Movie Overview: Design for Murder
| Movie | Design for Murder |
| Release Year | 1939 |
| Director | Roy Boulting |
| Genre | Crime |
| Runtime | 60 minutes (1h 0m) |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Design for Murder (1939) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.4/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Crime.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in Design for Murder are led by Manning Whiley . The supporting cast, including Barbara Everest and Thorley Walters , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
While Design for Murder does not fully realize its potential, it still contains moments that may appeal to viewers who enjoy Crime films.
- Interesting concept or premise
- Some entertaining scenes
- Supporting cast delivers occasional highlights
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, Design for Murder has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Crime fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: Design for Murder
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1939, Design for Murder is a Crime film directed by Roy Boulting. The narrative dives into the criminal underworld with a grounded sense of realism and complex morality. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Manning Whiley as Bentley, the student.
Ending Explained: Design for Murder
Design for Murder Ending Explained: When a wealthy, lonely university music student is beaten and has his apartment trashed by a fellow dorm resident-bully and his gang, he goes mad, lures the bully into his room on pretense of forgiveness, slips him a paralyzing agent in a drink, throws him in a trunk and locks him in, and taunts the bully with the promise that he will be buried alive in the trunk. Directed by Roy Boulting, this 1939 crime film stars Manning Whiley (Bentley, the student), alongside Barbara Everest as Ursula, Thorley Walters as Huey Frazer, Michael Drake as Grierson, the bully. With a 6.4/10 rating, the ending has divided audiences.
What Happens at the End of Design for Murder?
When a wealthy, lonely university music student is beaten and has his apartment trashed by a fellow dorm resident-bully and his gang, he goes mad, lures the bully into his room on pretense of forgiveness, slips him a paralyzing agent in a drink, throws him in a trunk and locks him in, and taunts the bully with the promise that he will be buried alive in the trunk. Only, once he gets his trunk and his prey to his country estate, the vengeful victim finds things keep going wrong...
Roy Boulting's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Manning Whiley (Bentley, the student)'s journey. Only, once he gets his trunk and his prey to his country estate, the vengeful victim finds things keep going wrong.
How Does Manning Whiley (Bentley, the student)'s Story End?
- Manning Whiley: Manning Whiley's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
- Barbara Everest (Ursula): Barbara Everest's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Thorley Walters (Huey Frazer): Thorley Walters's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of Design for Murder Mean?
Design for Murder's ending attempts to resolve the major plot threads, though some narrative elements involving Manning Whiley may feel rushed. Roy Boulting's final act has been both praised for its ambition and criticized for its execution.
Design for Murder Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is Design for Murder Based on a True Story?
Yes, Design for Murder draws from real criminal cases and investigative records. Directed by Roy Boulting and starring Manning Whiley, this crime film explores how real events have been adapted into a dramatic narrative.
Real Story vs Movie Version of Design for Murder
The film takes creative liberties to strengthen its narrative. Certain scenes are likely dramatized to enhance emotional impact.
While inspired by real events, the narrative focuses more on storytelling than strict historical accuracy.
Accuracy Assessment: Design for Murder uses real-life inspiration as the foundation for a dramatized narrative. The film prioritizes thematic storytelling over strict documentary accuracy.
Who Should Watch Design for Murder?
Age Advisory: Rated Not Rated.
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Crime films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Manning Whiley or the director
- Want solid genre entertainment
At just 60 minutes, it's a quick watch.
Design for Murder Parents Guide & Age Rating
1939 AdvisoryWondering about Design for Murder age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Design for Murder (1939) is 60 minutes (1h 0m). Directed by Roy Boulting, the film runs for 60 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.4/10, and global performance metrics, Design for Murder is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1939 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Design for Murder worth watching?
Design for Murder is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies. It has a verified rating of 6.4/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Design for Murder parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Design for Murder identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of Design for Murder (1939)?
The runtime of Design for Murder (1939) is 60 minutes (approximately 1h 0m).
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.