Is Murder at the Vanities Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1934)

📖 The Core Premise

Murder at the Vanities returns to the screen in 1934, bringing a fresh narrative to the Music, Mystery, Comedy genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "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."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. While not a career-best, Carl Brisson's presence adds a necessary stability to the proceedings. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Music. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Murder at the Vanities worth your time? If you appreciate Music, Mystery, Comedy films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Murder at the Vanities is a mixed bag with some redeeming qualities. With a runtime of 89 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Watch on OTT.